Inter vs FC Barcelona

Despite an unrecognisable starting XI, the Nerazzurri made no mistakes in dispatching Verona in a 1-0 win at the San Siro on Saturday. The pressure was sky-high after Napoli's 1-0 win over Lecce hours earlier had extended their lead at the top of the table to six points. But Inzaghi’s side rose up to the occasion to ensure the title race remained alive after cutting the gap to three once again. Fresh legs will welcome Barcelona for Tuesday’s decisive semi-final second leg clash, with Inzaghi resting as many as ten players from the side that held Barcelona to a 3-3 draw in the first leg. Tuesday's clash will be the 18th major European meeting between Internazionale and Barcelona, and it promises to be another explosive encounter with Inter hoping to reach their third UEFA Champions League final, having done so in 2010 and 2023. While Inter’s record against Spanish teams is not too encouraging, with Inzaghi’s side losing as many as 24 games in 55 meetings [16W, 15D, 24L], the Nerazzurri can turn to their home record against Spanish outfits. Inter have won twelve of 26 such games, losing only four times [12W, 10D, 4L]. Inzaghi is expected to opt for a 3—5—2 formation, with Lautaro Martínez and Marcus Thuram in attack. Martínez was forced off with an injury in the first leg but expected to be fit enough to lead Inter’s attacking exploits.

Hansi Flick had to unleash the big guns to avoid defeat against Valladolid at the weekend after seeing his side concede just after six minutes. Lamine Yamal’s brilliance and Raphinha’s affinity to find the back of the net were required to complete a 2-1 comeback against the already-relegated side. Flick’s intervention was necessary to ensure Barcelona kept their four-point lead at the top of the table in place and their treble dreams alive. Taking one step towards those dreams will be the only target on Tuesday, as Barcelona eye their sixth appearance in the UEFA Champions League final. But a less-than-impressive record on the road against Inter could see those plans nipped in the bud, having won just one of their last six UCL away games against the Nerazzurri [1W, 3D, 2L]. A 4—2—3—1 formation with Ferran Torres in attack may be seen, though Robert Lewandowski could be available for the Catalans. Ter Stegen made his return in the game against Valladolid after being sidelined for 223 days, but Flick has confirmed Wojciech Szczęsny will remain between the sticks for Tuesday’s clash against Inter.