Barcelona vs. Inter: Four key battles to watch in Champions League semi-final | OneFootball

As Barcelona prepare to host Inter in the Champions League semi-final first leg on Wednesday night, here is a look at some of the key battles that could influence the result between the two European giants.

Barcelona vs. Inter: Four key battles to watch

Robert Lewandowski vs. Francesco Acerbi

Robert Lewandowski requires little introduction: He is one of the world’s finest strikers for a generation and is expected to go up against Francesco Acerbi in the middle of Inter’s back three on Wednesday night.

Acerbi has earned a positive reputation for some of his performances against top-level centre-forwards over the course of the 2024-25 season.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 18: Erling Haaland of Manchester City heads the ball under pressure from during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD1 match between Manchester City and FC Internazionale Milano at City of Manchester Stadium on September 18, 2024 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)

The 37-year-old was credited with nullifying Erling Haaland during the 0-0 draw between Inter and Manchester City earlier this season, and also played particularly well up against Harry Kane in the first leg of the quarter-final victory over Bayern Munich.

Lamine Yamal vs. Alessandro Bastoni

Barcelona boast one of the most dangerous attacking units on the planet with their line-up of Lewandowski, Raphinha and Lamine Yamal. The latter, still only 17 years of age, is having a stellar season in 2024-25, with four goals and four assists from 11 Champions League appearances, on top of his six goals and 14 assists in LaLiga.

SEVILLE, SPAIN – APRIL 26: Lamine Yamal of FC Barcelona reacts during the Copa del Rey Final match between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid at Estadio de La Cartuja on April 26, 2025 in Seville, Spain. (Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images)

Assuming that he will play in his natural position off Barcelona’s right wing, he will go up against Alessandro Bastoni on the left of Inter’s back three.

The 26-year-old has grown to become one of Europe’s finest defenders, and is currently playing in a back line that has only conceded five goals in 12 Champions League matches so far this season.

Pedri vs. Nicolo Barella

The midfield battle will be key in the fight for control over the game on Wednesday night. Frenkie De Jong and Pedri are expected to start in a double pivot for Barcelona, while Inter are not expected to change from their preferred midfield three of Nicolo Barella, Hakan Calhanoglu and Henrikh Mkhitaryan.

Inter Milan’s Italian midfielder #23 Nicolo Barella (L) vies with Manchester City’s Belgian midfielder #17 Kevin De Bruyne (R) during the UEFA Champions League, league phase football match between Manchester City and Inter Milan at the Etihad stadium, in Manchester, north-west England, on September 18, 2024 (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP) (Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)

Within that battle will be an interesting match-up between Barella and Pedri, who are both considered among the finest midfielders that Europe has to offer.

Barella boasts a valuable trait in that he is often as effective out of possession as he is on the ball, and will be able to cause Barcelona a lot of issues with his tireless pressing and ability on the counter attack if he performs to his best.

Pau Cubarsi/Ronald Araujo vs. Lautaro Martinez/Marcus Thuram

While Barcelona have one of the strongest attacking departments in the world, Inter are not without their own threats up front.

MILAN, ITALY – OCTOBER 29: Marcus Thuram of FC Internazionale celebrates with Lautaro Martinez of FC Internazionale after scoring the team’s first goal during the Serie A TIM match between FC Internazionale and AS Roma at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on October 29, 2023 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Fortunately for the Nerazzurri, Marcus Thuram is in line to return to the starting line-up after a three-game absence, which has coincided with a run of three losses in Serie A and the Coppa Italia without the Frenchman in the line-up.

With Lautaro Martinez and his eight Champions League goals so far in 2024-25, Pau Cubarsi and Ronald Araujo will also have to keep their wits about them if they are to keep the Nerazzurri attackers out in Barcelona.