Milan, May 6, 2025 – Inter Milan welcomes Barcelona to the iconic San Siro for the decisive second leg of their UEFA Champions League semifinal tonight at 10:00 PM EAT. After a thrilling 3-3 draw in the first leg at Barcelona’s Olympic Stadium, both European giants are primed for a high-stakes showdown to secure a spot in the final.
First Leg Recap
The opening leg on April 30 delivered a six-goal spectacle. Inter surged to a 2-0 lead with strikes from Marcus Thuram and Denzel Dumfries, only for Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal to ignite a comeback with a stunning solo goal. Ferran Torres equalized, but Dumfries struck again for Inter. A late own goal by Inter’s Yann Sommer leveled the score, leaving the tie delicately poised.
Yamal, just 17, stole headlines by becoming the youngest scorer in a Champions League semifinal, earning praise from Inter’s Simone Inzaghi, who called him a “once-in-50-years talent,” and Barcelona’s Hansi Flick, who dubbed him “a genius.”
Team News: Barcelona
Barcelona faces challenges with Jules Kounde sidelined by a hamstring injury. However, Robert Lewandowski could make a surprise return from a leg injury, having rejoined the squad. Wojciech Szczesny is expected to start in goal despite Marc-Andre ter Stegen’s recent return from injury.
Possible Barcelona Lineup (4-3-3): Szczesny; Fort, Martinez, Cubarsi, Balde; De Jong, Casado, Pedri; Yamal, Lewandowski, Raphinha.
Team News: Inter Milan
Inter’s Lautaro Martinez is a doubt after a leg injury sustained in the first leg, with Mehdi Taremi or Marko Arnautovic ready to step in. Italian media reports suggest optimism about Martinez’s availability, fueled by his cryptic Instagram post hinting at recovery. Benjamin Pavard is set to return in defense, and Hakan Calhanoglu is available after serving a suspension.
Possible Inter Lineup (3-5-2): Sommer; Pavard, De Vrij, Bastoni; Dumfries, Barella, Calhanoglu, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Thuram, Martinez (or Taremi).
Barcelona, chasing a rare treble (LA Liga, Copa del Rey, Champions League), face a stern test on the road. Inter, aiming for their second final in three years, will lean on their formidable home record. With both teams boasting attacking firepower and defensive vulnerabilities, expect a tactical chess match with moments of brilliance.