Barca is in extremely good form this season - Photo: REUTERS
The first leg of the 2024-2025 Champions League semi-final between Barca and Inter Milan will take place at 2:00 a.m. on May 1.
Under the leadership of German coach Hansi Flick, the La Liga representative is having an explosive Champions League season, scoring an average of 3.1 goals per match.
They finished second behind Liverpool in the new format group stage and then overcame Benfica and Borussia Dortmund (winning 4-0 at home, losing 1-3 in the return) to reach the semi-finals for the first time since 2015.
The Catalans' form has been impressive. They are unbeaten at home in the Champions League this season (W5 D1) and have scored 21 goals. Last weekend, Barca lifted the Copa del Rey for the 32nd time after a dramatic 3-2 extra-time win over Real Madrid.
In La Liga, they are also leading with 4 points more than Los Blancos. In general, Barca have won 23 of their last 28 matches in all competitions.
Meanwhile, Inter Milan also had an impressive run to the semi-finals. They finished level on points with Barca in the group stage, then eliminated Feyenoord and then brilliantly overcame Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals. Under the direction of Simone Inzaghi, Inter are renowned for their solid defense, conceding just five goals and keeping eight clean sheets this season.
However, the Nerazzurri are showing signs of serious decline at a crucial stage. They have just gone through a series of 3 consecutive defeats without scoring a goal: losing to Bologna and Roma in Serie A, in between was a 0-3 defeat to AC Milan in the Coppa Italia semi-final.
These poor results not only knocked Inter out of the Coppa Italia but also left them three points behind Napoli in the Scudetto race, while also showing clear fatigue in the squad.
Inter Milan are having a bad streak of matches before the confrontation with Barca - Photo: REUTERS
The history of confrontation in the Champions League also favors Barca with 6 wins after 12 meetings, but Inter won in the semi-finals in 2010. The most recent meeting was in the group stage of the 2022 - 2023 season, Barca also could not beat Inter (1 draw, 1 loss).
However, at home, Barca won 5 and drew 1 in the last 6 times hosting the Italian representative.
Bookmakers of course rate coach Hansi Flick's team as giving Inter 1 goal for the whole match (first half is 0.25). Meanwhile, the over/under ratio for the whole match is 3 goals (first half is 1.25).
Barcelona have been dealt a blow as key striker Robert Lewandowski is out with a hamstring injury and could miss the return leg. Left-back Alejandro Balde is a doubt, with Gerard Martin ready to replace him. Marc Bernal and Marc Casado are also out with knee injuries.
On Inter's side, Marcus Thuram and Benjamin Pavard are also doubtful due to injury. If Thuram does not recover in time, Marko Arnautovic or Joaquin Correa could partner Lautaro Martinez. The good news for coach Inzaghi is that Denzel Dumfries and Piotr Zielinski have recovered, while Alessandro Bastoni and Henrikh Mkhitaryan return from suspension in Serie A.
Expected lineup:
Barca : Szczesny; Koundé, Cubarsí, Inigo Martínez, Gerard Martín; de Jong, Pedri; Fermin López; Yamal, Ferrán Torres, Raphinha.
Inter: Sommer; Darmian, Acerbi, Bastoni; Dumfries, Barella, Çalhanoglu, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Lautaro Martinez, M. Thuram.
Prediction: Barcelona to beat Inter Milan 3-0.
Source: https://tuoitre.vn/du-doan-ti-so-champions-league-barca-giai-quyet-inter-ngay-luot-di-20250429220250919.htm
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