The first leg of the Champions League semifinals takes place on Wednesday, featuring a clash between Barcelona and Inter. Barcelona comes into the match having recently won the Copa del Rey, keeping their aspirations for a treble alive. Inter, on the other hand, is looking to bounce back after a defeat in the Coppa Italia and losing their position at the top of the Serie A table.
A significant concern for the Italian side is their recent form across all competitions, where they have conceded five goals and failed to score any in their last three outings. Their striker, Marcus Thuram, was absent from the lineup in all these matches due to injury. However, he might recover in time to face Barcelona, which would provide a considerable boost to the team. Thuram`s partnership with Lautaro Martinez is vital; their combined movement creates space for each other and challenges opposing defenses with their finishing ability.
Thuram participated in training on Tuesday and is now anticipated to start the game. His presence is crucial to Inter`s strategy, and his likely inclusion in the starting XI, even if not fully fit, is expected to lift the team, especially against a high-quality opponent like Barcelona.
Barcelona manager Hansi Flick will be without Robert Lewandowski due to injury. Despite this absence, the Catalan attack possesses ample options. Ferran Torres is expected to lead the forward line, and his link-up play with Dani Olmo could pose problems for Inter. However, the main threats are likely to come from the wings, where Raphinha and Lamine Yamal operate. Raphinha has had an outstanding season, making a strong case for potential individual awards with 30 goals and 23 assists for Barcelona across all competitions. The young Yamal is also performing exceptionally well for his age, contributing 14 goals and 24 assists this season at just 17 years old.
Yamal`s production is remarkably high for a player of his age, and he continues to show improvement. While Lewandowski`s absence is notable, Inter has shown vulnerabilities by allowing a number of shots in the Champions League this season, suggesting Barcelona will have opportunities to score. A high-scoring game would likely favor the Spanish side, although Thuram`s potential participation could alter the dynamic.
With the first leg being played in Spain, additional pressure falls on Inter to reverse their poor run of form. Their defense also faces a setback with Benjamin Pavard unavailable. Barcelona`s high defensive line might offer some chances for Inter, but it might not be enough for the Italian team to keep pace.
