Barcelona and Inter Milan will renew their European rivalry in a much-anticipated UEFA Champions League semi-final clash on Wednesday night at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys (Montjuïc).
The Catalan giants come into the match on the back of a dramatic well deserved 3-2 victory over Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey final. Right-back Jules Koundé scored the winning goal late in the match, shortly after Ferran Torres forced extra time with a crucial strike. Earlier, Kylian Mbappé and Aurélien Tchouaméni had canceled out Pedri’s early opener.
Barcelona have been in strong form this season, suffering just one defeat in 2025. This marks their first Champions League semi-final appearance since 2019, when Lionel Messi inspired them to this stage. Now, they face a stern test against a battle-hardened Inter Milan side.
The two clubs last met at this stage in 2010, with Inter emerging victorious after a fiercely contested tie. While much has changed since then, another close encounter is expected.
Inter Milan have stumbled domestically in recent weeks, with three straight losses to Bologna, AC Milan, and Roma. However, their European form remains impressive—just two defeats in their last 20 Champions League matches—highlighting their resilience and tactical discipline in continental competitions.
To reach the semi-finals, Barcelona comfortably saw off Benfica but struggled against Borussia Dortmund. Inter, meanwhile, defeated Feyenoord but faced difficulties against Bayern Munich, though both teams ultimately progressed.
Barcelona will be without several key players, including veteran striker Robert Lewandowski, Alejandro Balde, and long-term absentees Marc Casadó, Marc Bernal, and Marc-André ter Stegen. While Ter Stegen has recovered, he remains unregistered due to UEFA squad regulations, with Wojciech Szczęsny taking the goalkeeping spot.
Inter are hoping to welcome back Marcus Thuram from injury, with Denzel Dumfries, Benjamin Pavard, and Piotr Zieliński also being assessed for potential returns ahead of the clash.
Predicted Line-ups:
Barcelona (4-2-3-1): Szczęsny; Koundé, Cubarsí, Iñigo Martínez, Héctor Fort; De Jong, Pedri; Yamal, Dani Olmo, Raphinha; Ferran Torres.
Inter Milan (3-5-2): Sommer; Bisseck, Acerbi, Bastoni; Dumfries, Barella, Çalhanoğlu, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Lautaro Martínez, Thuram.
With both teams possessing quality and experience, this first leg could be decisive. Barcelona may enter as slight favourites, but Inter’s European pedigree ensures they remain a formidable threat.
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