Inter Milan and Barcelona will face off in the UEFA Champions League semifinal second leg on May 6, 2025. The highly anticipated match will take place at the iconic San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, commencing at 9 PM local time (19:00 GMT). Both sides enter this decider of an away goal rule tie after a whirlwind first leg that resulted in a 3-3 draw. This outcome has primed the pump for a fierce battle royale.
The stakes couldn’t be higher! The victor of this contest will secure a berth in the UEFA Champions League championship match, scheduled for May 31, 2025 at Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany. This clash is of monumental historical value. Inter Milan last won the trophy in 2010, and Barcelona their last in 2015.
Team Preparations and Key Players
Inter Milan’s head coach, Simone Inzaghi, has been getting his team ready for this high-profile game. With some key players hitting fitness hurdles, the team chemistry will be extremely important. Lautaro Martinez’s availability remains questionable due to a leg injury, raising concerns about Inter’s attacking options. If Martinez has to sit out, either Mehdi Taremi or Marko Arnautovic would likely replace him in the starting XI.
Inter will be happy to have Hakan Calhanoglu back through the door after he missed their last match with suspension. His return bolsters the midfield and offers additional support for the team as they aim to advance to the final.
We’ll turn to Barcelona’s new coach, Hansi Flick, who has some challenges of his own. The most notable absence from the team will be Jules Kounde, who misses out with a hamstring injury. There is reason for hope in the form of Robert Lewandowski’s recovery. After missing two weeks with a leg injury, he bounced back remarkably fast. Now, he’s ahead of schedule and likely to be available for the critical second leg.
Young Stars Shine Bright
The first leg showcased incredible talent from both sides, particularly from their younger players. Especially, 17-year-old Lamine Yamal, who became the youngest scorer in Barcelona history. Yamal, at only 17 years and 291 days old, set the record. With that goal he became the youngest player to score in a UEFA Champions League semifinal.
Inter Milan’s Marcus Thuram netted in the first leg. His ambitious goal led to an equally dramatic 3-3 deadlock. It’s the international stage that has allowed both young stars to shine their dazzling skills under a big spotlight. They have certainly become players to watch ahead of the next matchup!
“I’m going to enjoy myself, and be myself,” said Yamal when reflecting on his performance during the first leg.
Yamal has already been compared to football greats, but is keeping his head down and concentrating on writing his own story.
“I don’t compare myself to him because I don’t compare myself to anyone – and much less with Messi,” he stated.
Tactical Insights and Expectations
With both teams looking to take home the trophy in this winner-take-all clash, tactics and execution will be key. For one thing, Flick underlined, Inter Milan must do more than just defend if they want to advance.
“Inter can’t just defend. They have to try and score too. It’s the semifinals of the UEFA Champions League and the four best teams in Europe are there,” he remarked.
Inzaghi had showered Yamal with praise for his extraordinary talent after having seen him play in the first leg.
“He’s the kind of talent who is born every 50 years; I had never seen him live, and he really impressed me today,” Inzaghi noted.
Both of the respective managers have a lot of respect for each other’s squads. Now, fans can anticipate an electrifying showdown packed with tension and talent!
