Barcelona will look to book a spot in the Champions League Final for the first time in a decade as they travel to Italy to face Inter Milan in the second leg of their semi-final tie.
The first leg was a wild contest that ended in a 3-3 draw in the Catalan capital and left everything to be decided at San Siro, and the atmosphere there should be all kinds of crazy as the two sides fight for a spot in the title match.
Here’s how we think Hansi Flick will line up his troops for Tuesday’s battle.
Defense
FC Barcelona v FC Internazionale Milano - UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Semi Final First Leg Photo by Manuel Queimadelos/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images
Flick made nine changes to his starting lineup and got all three points against Real Valladolid at the weekend, resting several of his key stars to have them as close to fresh as possible for what could be a 120-minute war.
There are major questions surrounding the defense with Jules Kounde ruled out through injury and Alejandro Balde’s status still uncertain as of this writing, so we think Flick will stick with the back four that played most of the second half last week with Eric García at right-back, Ronald Araujo and Pau Cubarsí in the middle, and Iñigo Martínez at left-back.
Midfield
Dani Olmo of FC Barcelona in action during the UEFA... Photo by Nicolò Campo/LightRocket via Getty Images
If there are many doubts surrounding the defense, there are no such questions regarding the midfield trio: Frenkie de Jong and Pedri each rested for 45 minutes at the weekend and should be fresh to go the distance in this one, and Dani Olmo also played very little against Valladolid to make sure he’s at his best for this one. Fermín López and Gavi can provide much-needed energy in the second half and/or extra-time, but they won’t be starting in Milan.
Attack
FC Barcelona v FC Internazionale Milano - UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Semi Final First Leg Photo by Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Lamine Yamal played just a little over 50 minutes and Raphinha only played in the second half at the weekend while Ferran Torres was rested for the entire game against Valladolid, so Flick can count on his front three to be pretty fresh and ready to be decisive in Italy and lead Barça to Munich. Robert Lewandowski could have minutes in the second half, but the Pole is unlikely to start even if he makes the squad.
Possible XI: Szczesny; Eric, Araujo, Cubarsí, Iñigo; De Jong, Pedri; Yamal, Olmo, Raphinha; Ferran (4-2-3-1)
How do you think Barcelona should line up against Inter? Let us know your thoughts, predictions and teams in the comments below!