Inter Milan is set to host FC Barcelona on Tuesday at the San Siro for a highly anticipated second leg in the UEFA Champions League semifinals. Their previous encounter in Barcelona ended in a thrilling 3-3 draw, demonstrating Inter`s potential to compete for a place in the final despite inconsistent domestic form. The following day, Wednesday, will see PSG welcome Arsenal to Paris for the return leg, with the Parisian side holding a slender 1-0 lead from the first match.
Simone Inzaghi`s Inter squad currently sits three points behind Napoli in Serie A with three games remaining. Reaching the Champions League final could significantly alter the narrative of their season, potentially offering their most likely path to silverware. Achieving this against a formidable European opponent like Hansi Flick`s FC Barcelona will be challenging. Barcelona has proven their strength, currently contending for a treble after winning the Copa del Rey against Real Madrid and holding a four-point lead over them in the league. A pivotal week awaits Barcelona, including a final league meeting with Real Madrid on May 11th.
Both Inter and Barcelona face a defining moment for their respective seasons in Tuesday`s clash, while PSG and Arsenal are vying for a potentially historic final appearance. Success in these second legs may hinge on the performance of specific individuals. Here are the four players – one from each team – whose contributions could be decisive.
Marcus Thuram, Inter
The French forward was a vital figure for Inter in the first leg against Barcelona, scoring the opening goal within 30 seconds – the fastest goal ever in a Champions League semifinal. Thuram recovered just in time for the first leg after a two-week muscular injury layoff, immediately showcasing his importance to Inter`s attacking setup and his partnership with Lautaro Martinez. With Argentine captain Lautaro Martinez possibly sidelined due to a muscular issue sustained in the first leg, Thuram`s role becomes even more central for Coach Inzaghi. Inter needs Thuram at his best to contend for their second Champions League final in three seasons, following their 1-0 defeat to Manchester City in the 2023 final in Istanbul. Thuram has enjoyed one of the finest seasons of his career to date, registering 14 goals and seven assists.
Lamine Yamal, Barcelona
It might seem obvious, but Barcelona`s semifinal second leg performance will heavily rely on their star player, Lamine Yamal, for multiple reasons. The Spanish winger delivered an incredible performance in the first leg, which also marked his 100th appearance for the club. He scored a spectacular goal to pull his team back into the match after falling behind. With Polish striker Robert Lewandowski`s place in the starting lineup still uncertain, much of the attacking responsibility will fall on Lamine Yamal and Raphinha. With 15 goals and 24 assists accumulated this season, this Barcelona side critically depends on the output of their most gifted player.
Gianluigi Donnarumma, PSG
The Italian goalkeeper has been a standout player for PSG throughout their Champions League campaign. The former AC Milan man made crucial saves in the Round of 16 against Liverpool and later delivered another impressive performance against Aston Villa, particularly in the second leg in England. He followed this with an excellent display in the first leg against Arsenal, reinforcing his status as one of Europe`s premier goalkeepers. PSG continues its quest for a first-ever Champions League trophy, having lost the 2020 final to Bayern Munich. Their aspirations will largely depend on the performance of their starting goalkeeper, who has been phenomenal this season.
Martin Ødegaard, Arsenal
Mikel Arteta`s Arsenal had a disappointing first leg in London, falling 1-0 to PSG. However, the English side has an opportunity to stage a comeback in the second leg. A key factor in their potential turnaround will be the performance of their captain, Martin Ødegaard. He possesses the creativity needed to unlock defenses and lead the attacking efforts. The Norwegian attacking midfielder has already scored three goals in the Champions League this season and is expected to be the main driving force for his team on Wednesday, alongside winger Bukayo Saka and midfielder Declan Rice.
