Juventus legend believes Inter Milan can put up a strong fight vs Barcelona | OneFootball

Barcelona could not have asked for a better run of momentum to enter the UEFA Champions League semifinal.

Having beaten Real Madrid with a late Jules Kounde goal, the Catalans were proclaimed the champions of the Copa del Rey and the mood in the dressing room is nothing short of celebratory.

There is undeniably fatigue for the players after playing 120 minutes at the weekend, but they have just over 48 hours to recover and regroup for the first leg of the semifinal clash against Inter Milan.

Juventus legend picks his favourites

Speaking to the media earlier this week, Italian legend Gianluigi Buffon commented on Inter Milan’s chances against Barcelona and whether the Italian side were the favourites.

“To be a favourite against Barcelona, you either have to be incredibly good or you’ll struggle. Inter can compete, but to do that they have to be really strong, and they are,” he said via Tuttosport.

Buffon believes Inter are not favourites vs Barça but can fight. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)

Buffon’s statements come as massive and deserved praise for Barcelona have always found a way to wriggle out of even difficult situations this season.

Hansi Flick has changed the team’s mentality, as was clear in the recent final of the Copa del Rey against Real Madrid.

While Barcelona head into the UCL clash on great momentum, Inter Milan are coming off three straight defeats across competitions which saw them crash out of the Italian Cup and lose the pole position in Serie A.

Wednesday’s game, needless to say, will be a hard-fought one especially given the stylistic battle that promises to be fascinating.

A lot will depend on whether the Barcelona players manage to walk out of the dressing room fresh and having overcome their fatigue. There is, however, not much more they can have to motivate them than a place in the UCL final on the line.