Barcelona vs Inter in the UEFA Champions League Semi-final is the most awaited game. We can’t forget the last time Inter won the Champions League in 2010; they defeated FC Barcelona in the semi-final. The match kicks off at 9 PM (CET) on 30th April, and in India, it starts at 12:30 AM on the same day.
The stakes for the game are high as FC Barcelona has scored 37 goals in the Champions League so far, averaging 3.09 goals per match. Their opponent, Inter, has just conceded five goals in the 12 matches they have played so far, which includes eight clean sheets.
Barcelona has just won the Copa del Rey as they defeated Real Madrid in the finals, and the confidence of the team would be sky high. Inter have lost three games in a row approaching this game. Both teams have a state of mind entering the game, but anything can happen in football.
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Barcelona vs Inter- UEFA Champions League Semi-final: Teams news, Injury updates, Expected XI
FC Barcelona
The newly crowned Copa del Rey champions will see a few players missing the first leg of the UEFA Champions League semi-finals. Robert Lewandowski will be a very big miss for the Catalan side. The other confirmed miss will be Marc Casado and Marc Bernal. We saw Marc-Andre ter Stegen making the squad in the Copa del Rey final, who was on the bench. He will start on the bench this time, too. Alejandro Balde still remains a doubt.
Barcelona Expected XI: Szczesny, Kounde, Cubarsi, Iñigo, Martin, De Jong, Pedri, Yamal, Olmo, Raphinha, and Torres
Inter
Inter have already ended their treble hopes, as they were knocked out by Milan in the Coppa Italia semis. They have also lost their Serie A lead and sit in second place, three points behind Napoli. Valentin Carboni and Benjamin Pavard will miss the match due to injury, whereas Marcus Thuram is a doubt.
Inter Expected XI: Sommer, Bastoni, Acerbi, Augusto, Dimarco, Mkhitaryan, Calhanoglu, Dumfries, Martinez, and Arnautovic
Barcelona vs Inter- Key Players
Pedri (FC Barcelona)
Pedri dictates and controls the midfield of FC Barcelona. He has been the key to FC Barcelona’s success this season. We all know Inter is the second-best team in terms of pressing. It will be very important for Pedri to handle the situation very calmly, as he reacts smartly in this kind of pressure situation.
Lautaro Martinez (Inter)
The Inter captain will have to be on his toes to break the high line of FC Barcelona’s defence. Martinez has a better understanding of the game and has already scored vital goals for his team when needed. He has to lead from the front for his team to win.
UEFA Champions League Semi-final: Predictions
Inter will be one of the toughest opponents that FC Barcelona will face this season. Both of the teams will want to take advantage going into the second leg. At this moment, FC Barcelona has a slight edge over Inter as per their recent win in the CDR final.
