For the first time in just over 6 years, we are finally back in the business end of the Champions League. It’s been a long road and a lot of struggles along the way, but all that has built towards our return to the final 4 of the European competition. High off an incredible Copa Del Rey title win against Real Madrid on the weekend in Seville. It’s back to action for Barça, with quite easily our biggest and most important game of the season so far. Possibly against one of the most difficult opponents we’ve faced all season too. Without further introduction, tonight, the stage is set. Live from the Estadi Olympic Lluis Companys for the final time in the competition this season. It’s the first leg of the UEFA Champions League Semi finals between Barça and Inter Milan.
Without a shadow of a doubt, this is going to be our most difficult opponent of the season so far. The home crowd is needed for such a big occasion so let’s jump straight into the preview.
A Quick Look at our opponents:
As I’ve already explained, Inter Milan are a fantastic team. So strong defensively and more than competent in attack too. They will give us our biggest test of the season so far, because not only are they great in defence, they are also famed for being brilliant on the counter and in transition too. Something we have to be careful of especially with our notorious high risk football. However, it has been clear over the last few games that the amount of football has slowly been catching up on Inter, in most of their recent games looking very fatigued and sluggish.
They’ll be without Marcus Thuram for the first leg which is a big blow. But for me, their recent form makes me more cautious than optimistic. They’ve let a few points slip in Serie A and have been knocked out of the Italian super cup too, so the champions league is their main aim for a trophy. So they’ll come with a point to prove.
And to be honest, we’ll also be tired off of that huge effort in Seville in Saturday. So I really wouldn’t read too much into their recent form. They have an incredibly solid team, with great players especially in defence like DiMarco and Bastoni. With of course their Talisman, Lautaro Martinez upfront. Tonight is a huge test.
Predicted lineup:
When it comes to Barça, even though our Copa Del Rey win on the weekend would’ve taken so much physically out of the players, I still think Hansi Flick won’t make too many changes from the side that started the game. For me, there’s only 2 or 3 possible changes I could see.
Balde is not yet fit for the game, but he’s so close to coming back now though. For me, in that case, I would start Iñigo on the left with Araujo playing alongside Cubarsi. And in midfield, Frenkie could possibly be swapped for Gavi, who I think this game suits possibly more. But we’ll have to wait and see. It’ll be interesting to see what changes, if any, Flick decides to make.
My starting lineup:
Tek
Kounde- Araujo- Cubarsi- Iñigo
Pedri- Gavi
Yamal- Olmo- Raphinha
Ferran
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