By Seyi Babalola
The first 2025 Champions League finalist will be determined on Tuesday night, when Inter hosts Barcelona in the second leg of their semifinal match.
Despite entering the first leg in dismal domestic form, Simone Inzaghi’s Nerazzurri found another gear in Catalonia, taking an early 2-0 lead. They were finally pushed back, but the Italians would have been satisfied with their evening’s effort. With a 3-3 tie, everything is up for grabs at San Siro tonight.
Inzaghi’s men are battling Napoli for the Scudetto, but there was little change at the summit over the weekend as both title hopefuls claimed 1-0 victories.
Barcelona, meanwhile, remain four points clear at the top of La Liga after coming from behind to beat bottom-of-the-table Real Valladolid 2-1 on Saturday.
While Inter’s treble hopes have been dashed over the past couple of weeks, Barca’s are still very much alive. The Copa del Rey victors require a big performance in a tough environment on Tuesday to advance, but Hansi Flick’s side are more than capable of blowing their diligent hosts away.
Here is preview, predictions and lineups ahead of the second leg of the pair’s Champions League semifinal.
When his the Kick-Off time for Inter vs. Barcelona match?
Location: Milan, Italy
Stadium: San Siro
Date: Tuesday, May 6
Kick-off Time: 20:00 BST / 15:00 ET / 12:00 PT
Referee: Szymon Marciniak (POL)
VAR: Dennis Johan Higler (NED)
Inter vs. Barcelona Head-to-Head Record (last five games)
Inter: 2 wins
Barcelona: 1 win
Draws: 2
Last meeting: Barcelona 3-3 Inter (April 30, 2025) – Champions League
Inter Team News
Lautaro Martinez injured his hamstring last week in Catalonia, but he has not ruled himself out of the second leg.
The Inter captain is keen to play, and his participation in Inzaghi’s starting lineup will most likely be a game-time call.
If Lautaro is unable to play, Mehdi Taremi or Marko Arnautovic will take his place beside Marcus Thuram.
However, with Benjamin Pavard absent, Yann Bisseck will start on the right side of Inter’s back three.
Hakan Calhanoglu is available after serving a domestic suspension over the weekend.
Inter predicted lineup vs Barcelona (3-5-2): Sommer; Bisseck, Acerbi, Bastoni; Dumfries, Mkhitaryan, Calhanoglu, Barella, Dimarco; Martinez, Thuram.
Barcelona Team News
Robert Lewandowski has returned to the Barcelona team after missing a month due to injury, while Alejandro Balde will not go to Milan owing to a hamstring ailment that kept him out of the first leg.
Lewandowski should return to Flick’s starting lineup immediately away, and the manager will likely choose between Gerard Martin and Hector Fort at left back. Inigo Martinez is another choice.
Jules Kounde’s absence is a major setback, since the Frenchman has yet to recuperate from a hamstring injury suffered last week. Eric Garcia or Ronald Araujo are expected to fill in for the former Sevilla defender at right back.
Lamine Yamal, Raphinha, Frenkie de Jong and Pau Cubarsi were out of Flick’s XI on Saturday, but the quartet will be back in the starting lineup on Tuesday.
Barcelona predicted lineup vs Inter (4-2-3-1): Szczesny; Garcia, Araujo, Cubarsi, Martinez; De Jong, Pedri; Yamal, Olmo, Raphinha; Lewandowski.
Inter vs. Barcelona Score Prediction
Inter took advantage of a Barcelona team that were unable to perform at their usual intensity out of possession last week. Moreover, their vulnerability from set pieces was ruthlessly exploited by Denzel Dumfries.
Araujo’s likely inclusion will help mitigate Inter’s primary threat, but signs of Barca fatigue are a concern. The hosts, so methodical and precise in possession, will create chances against an aggressive defensive line.
Inter should also be more comfortable defending their box on home soil, but Barca’s overwhelming talent in forward positions could prove to be the difference. They’re blessed with the world’s best. When there’s a Lamine Yamal in your team, there’s always a way.
Prediction: Inter 1-2 Barcelona