FC Barcelona will face Inter Milan on 30th, April at the Lluís Companys Olympic Stadium. This will be the firs-leg tie of the UEFA Champions League semi-final tie between both sides. FC Barcelona will be playing the semi-final of this European Competition after seven long years. Last time Barcelona went up against Liverpool in 2019-20 season under the management of Ernesto Valverde. Barcelona won the first-leg with margin of three goals with the score-line ending 3-0. Barcelona got too much comfortable with the three goal lead, they ended up choking it and lost the second leg 4-0 at the Anfield. So a single leg can never decide a game in the UEFA Champions League.
A Defining Night for Barça
When FC Barcelona walk onto the pitch to face Inter Milan, it won’t be a big European night for the club. It will be a defining night for not only the players but also the fans, they waited for years to reach the final four stage of this competition. This season Barcelona are finally back in the UEFA Champions League semi-final with proper momentum. After seasons of frustrations and rebuild, this game is a genuine opportunity to end the European drought the fans and players are craving for. With the final being just few steps away, this game will not be just important, it will be symbolic.
Expected Lineups
Hansi Flick is ready to go with his best possible starting eleven with a mix of youth and experience, as we all have witnessed the whole season. Barcelona will have some important names missing for this tie. Lewandowski and Alejandro Balde will miss the first leg due to injuries, both players are a major missing as both were equally crucial the whole season. Barcelona’s possible starting lineup: Szczesny; Kounde, Cubarsi, Martinez, Martin; De Jong, Pedri; Yamal, Olmo, Raphinha; Ferran. There were doubts of Ter Stegen returning to the starting eleven after his return from long-term injury, Hansi Flick cleared all doubts stating Szczesny will be the starter as his form speaks. Gerard Martin who played a brilliant game in the Copa del Rey final is expected to start, the youngster looked lost at start of the season due to inexperience. But he is just growing for better with more and more games.
For Inter’s case, there major players have also picked up injuries coming up to this game. Benjamin Pavard and Marcus Thurram will miss the game, both being crucial starters won’t feature in the first-leg. Simone Inzaghi will set up in their familiar 3-5-2. Yann Sommer should start in goal, with Bastoni, Acerbi, and Augusto at the back. In midfield, Çalhanoğlu, Barella and Mkhitaryan. Lautaro Martínez and Arnautovic/Correa are expected to lead up top.
What to Expect?
Barcelona will be looking to dominate the possession purpose the whole 90 minutes. They will be looking to pile early pressure to get early lead. Flick will demand the team to operate on quick transitions and press aggressively when out of possession. On the other hand, Inzaghi would demand the team to stay compact as they always stay and avoid conceding. Inter would want a draw in their favor and would majorly operate on counters. This will be a tight game for both sides and a proper two sided match.