Inter’s reasons for optimism and concern ahead of Barcelona Champions League clash | OneFootball

Inter did little to hide that their full focus was already projected toward their crucial Champions League clash with Barcelona during Saturday’s Serie A win over Verona.

Beyond the almost entirely rotated starting XI — already a clear statement of intent — their attitude on the pitch suggested they were simply out to get the job done while conserving as much energy as possible.

The Nerazzurri will have been pleased to see that the plan worked perfectly. Simone Inzaghi’s side secured all three points with a narrow win that also allowed them to protect nearly all of their key players.

Champions League: what should give Inter hope and what should worry them ahead of Barcelona second leg

With Federico Dimarco and Henrikh Mkhitaryan featuring only for the final 25 minutes, Francesco Acerbi introduced late on, and the likes of Marcus Thuram, Hakan Çalhanoğlu, Denzel Dumfries, Alessandro Bastoni, and Nicolò Barella fully rested, Inter have put their most important players in prime condition to deliver at the highest level when it matters most.

MILAN, ITALY – MAY 03: Kristjan Asllani of FC Internazionale with his team-mates after scoring their team’s first goal during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Hellas Verona FC at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on May 03, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Being able to rely on a nearly full-strength starting XI — both physically and mentally refreshed — has been a rare luxury for the Nerazzurri in recent months, and Inzaghi will certainly hope this carefully planned buildup pays off.

Seeing captain Lautaro Martinez complete a near-miraculous recovery in time would offer an additional motivational boost for an Inter side that, while not without concerns, has a few but very clear reasons to feel optimistic and confident.

First and foremost, they’ve already shown they can hurt Barcelona, exposing several of their weaknesses — notably at set pieces and when defending down Inter’s right flank.

Moreover, in recent months, they’ve shown a tendency to rise to the occasion in handpicked matches where full focus and maximum effort were required — as seen in their 2-0 win away at Atalanta and the tense, hard-fought two-legged tie against Bayern Munich.

The atmosphere at San Siro will no doubt be crucial in helping the team push through the toughest phases of the match — and there will be tough phases.

BARCELONA, SPAIN – APRIL 30: Lamine Yamal of FC Barcelona celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Semi Final First Leg match between FC Barcelona and FC Internazionale Milano at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on April 30, 2025 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)

Indeed, Barcelona have already demonstrated the gap in individual quality that separates them from the Nerazzurri, and there’s a strong sense that the first leg was merely a prelude to another 90 minutes of suffocating pressure Inter must endure.

Whether home or away, the Blaugrana are unlikely to change their approach. That means Inter will be afforded a razor-thin margin for error, especially when playing out from the back or trying to convert the limited chances they might get.

One lapse in concentration could prove fatal against some of the best players in the world, and every Inter player will need to deliver a huge performance, remaining fully focused for more than 90 minutes.

Robert Lewandowski’s return could make the challenge even steeper for Inter’s defenders, but ultimately, they know that the only way to survive — and reach the final — will be to stick together and let their collective spirit shine through, as it so often has in the past.