Barcelona vs Inter: Hansi Flick’s quadruple-chasing side ready to make European statement | OneFootball

Barcelona will square off with Inter Milan at their makeshift Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium for their Champions League semi-final first leg in a rematch of their last battle 15 years ago.

There will be some element of bad blood with the Blaugranas looking to atone for their defeat in 2010, although Inter will hope to repeat that feat en route to a possible Champions League triumph – just like last time.

With a spot in the final at stake, the winner of this time will lock horns with either Arsenal or Paris Saint-Germain in next month’s showpiece.

Match Preview

Barca are one step away from a first Champions League final appearance in nearly a decade.

Since winning their fifth title in 2015, Barca have watched fierce rivals Real Madrid dominate the competition, winning five more titles.

But with the reigning champions dumped out in the quarter-finals, Hansi Flick’s troops are keen to end their decade-long Champions League drought.

Flick’s troops have been electric this season, averaging 3.1 goals per game – just shy of the 3.2 record set by the German manager’s Bayern Munich side in 2020.

Barca finished second behind Liverpool in the revamped league phase before knocking out Benfica and then Borussia Dortmund in the knockouts.

They thrashed Dortmund 4-0 in the first leg, paving the way for a semi-final spot, despite a nervy 3-1 defeat in Germany.

Barca have been ruthless at home, going unbeaten in six games (W5, D1) while scoring 21 goals.

They notched three more in the dramatic El Clasico edition of the Copa del Rey final, with Jules Kounde’s late winner salvaging a 3-2 extra-time win over Madrid.

Now four points clear in La Liga, Barca face Inter on Wednesday with a potential quadruple within their grasp.

Inter have lost half the games they’ve faced Barca, but their most precious win came in 2010 when Jose Mourinho’s side edged the Blaugranas 3-2 on aggregate in the semi-finals.

They went on to win the Champions League for the third time that year.

Inter came close to a fourth European title in 2023 but finished as runners-up to Manchester City. They’ll be keen to go one better this year.

Simone Inzaghi’s men saw off Feyenoord in the round of 16, then knocked out Bayern in a hard-fought quarter-final.

Notoriously hard to beat, Inzaghi’s side have conceded just five goals this campaign and boast eight clean sheets. But they’ve wobbled in recent weeks.

The Nerazzurri were dumped out of the Coppa Italia by rivals AC Milan and have lost back-to-back Serie A games without scoring.

Inzaghi will be hoping his side can turn around their poor form when they visit Barca in his milestone 50th Champions League game.

This will be only the second time these two giants have locked horns in a Champions League semi-final.

Inter prevailed in their previous meeting, but they’ll head into this rematch as underdogs, judging by recent form.

Barca have an impressive home record against Inter. They’re unbeaten in six games (W5, D1). Only Chelsea have visited the Catalans more times without coming away with a win (seven times).

Barca’s 21 Champions League goals on home soil is only second to their 1999/2000 campaign when they netted 29 times at their own headquarters.

Team News

Barca are still without Robert Lewandowski, who is dealing with a hamstring problem. He could also miss next week’s second leg.

Alejandro Balde and Marc-Andre ter Stegen are back in action, although Wednesday may come too soon for both.

Meanwhile, Inzaghi will be relieved to have Marcus Thuram back in the fold after missing the last three games with a thigh injury.

Benjamin Pavard could be out with a sprained ankle, but Inter are boosted by the return of Denzel Dumfries and Piotr Zielinski.

Barcelona potential starting line-up:

(4-2-3-1): Wojciech Szczesny; Jules Kounde, Pau Cubarsi, Inigo Martinez, Gerard Martin; Frenkie de Jong, Pedri; Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo, Raphinha; Ferran Torres.

Inter Milan potential starting line-up: