Inter vs Barcelona Game Analysis
At the beginning of the season, Barcelona was not expected to get this far. Now, they’re on track to win the treble, winning the Copa del Rey, leading La Liga, and having a chance to win the Champions League classic. But it all rests on this next game.
These two teams clash on May 6 for the second leg of the semi-finals. Inter Milan is the healthier team playing at home and is the slight favorite.
Barça will be without defenders Jules Kounde and Alejandro Balde, who both sustained hamstring injuries. Will their replacements have better luck with their set-pieces and counter-attacks?
However, their top striker, Robert Lewandowski, returned to the squad after missing the last month of play due to a hamstring injury. He’s healthy, but manager Hansi Flick will need him for Sunday’s game against Real Madrid for LaLiga. Lewandowski will sit on the bench unless they need him in the second half to assure the win.
FC Barcelona’s Recent Scores
Playing in his 100th game, Lamine Yamal scored the first goal for Barça against Inter. At 17 years and 291 days old, he became the youngest player to score in a UEFA Champions League semifinal. Kylian Mbappe was 18 when he set the record in 2017.
Inter manager Simone Inzaghi said of Yamal, “He’s the kind of talent who is born every 50 years. I had never seen him live, and he really impressed me today.”
Barça are looking for their first win in fixtures against Inter since 2019.
Inter Milan’s Recent Scores
Last Wednesday in the first leg, Inter took a two-goal lead against Barcelona, thanks to strikes by Marcu Thuram and Denzel Dumfries. Even though Barça was the favorite to win, Inter never relinquished the lead, but in the end, they had to be satisfied with a 3-3 draw.
Top scorer Lautaro Martinez is questionable for the game after suffering a leg injury in the first leg.
Inter vs Barcelona Prediction
Ahead of the second leg, Barça will focus on rectifying their set-pieces, while Inter will design new ways to contain Yamal.
Barcelona is dealing with fatigue and having to play in Milan. Their starting goalkeeper will be Wojciech Szczesny, even though first-choice keeper Marc-Andre ter Steg returned for Barça’s game against Valladolid on the weekend. Steg just returned after a long time off for injury.
Inter’s top scorer’s status for the game can make a big difference in the outcome. Odds are good that Martinez will play as he knows his presence is crucial, but will he be in top form?
After such a high-scoring game last Wednesday, both teams will be more cautious. If Inter can strike first, their fans will energize the home team and dishearten the visitors enough to win the game.
Expect Inter Milan to win 1-2 in a nail-biting finale to the semi-finals. Also remember to follow us at PayPerHead to be updated with everything related to the UEFA Champions League.
