On Wednesday, Barcelona and Inter will meet in the first round of the Champions League semi-finals. Barcelona have been defeated by Copa del Rey and keeping Treble hopes alive, but after losing Coppa Italia and breaking out of first place in the Serie A, Inter will have to rebound.
What’s bothering the Italian side is that they have conceded five goals and scored zero in the final three matches in all competitions. All of these matches saw striker Marcus Thurham missing XI with a knock, but he was able to recover in time to face Barcelona. Alongside Lautaro Martinez, movements from the duo not only create space for both, but also maintain toe defenses for the devastating finish they can produce.
Thuram returns to training on Tuesday and is currently scheduled to begin. Given what Inter is doing, even if Thuram isn’t 100%, including his potential in Xi will improve on the team, especially in the face of a team with the quality that Barcelona has.
Robert Lewandowsky is not available to Hansi Frick’s men through injuries, but that doesn’t mean that attacks are not an option. Ferran Torres is expected to lead the line, and his interaction with Dani Ormo could cause Inter’s problems, but it is Rafinha and Ramin Yamal’s wings that can actually make things happen. Rafina has a strong argument that he will score Barondoor with 30 goals and 23 assists for Barcelona in all competitions this season, but Yamal isn’t too late. Yamal, who is still 17, has 14 goals and 24 assists this season.
Such production is unprecedented at his age, and he continues to improve. Lewandowski makes a big mistake in the game, but Barcelona has the opportunity to win when Inter allows plenty of shots in their Champions League play this season. The gunfight also prefers the Spanish side, but if Thuram can play, things could change a bit too.
With the first foot in Spain, there is only additional pressure to help Inter finish a poorly-shaped run. And the defense takes another blow to Benjamin Pavabad as he misses. Barcelona’s high line could be an inter-line, but that alone may not be enough for the Italians to catch up.
The predicted lineup
Barcelona XI: Wojciech Szczesny, Jules Kounde, Ronald Araujo, Pau Cubarsi, Inigo Martinez, Pedri, Gavi, Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo, Raphinha, Ferran Torres
InterXI: Yann Sommer; Yann Bisseck, Francesco Acerbi, Alessandro Bastoni; Denzel Dumfries, Nicolo Barella, Hakan Calhanoglu, Henrik Mkhitaryan, Federico Dimarco; Lautaro Martinez, Mehdi Taremi
How to watch FC Barcelona vs. Inter and odds
Date: Wednesday, April 30th | Time: 3pm Etlocation: Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companies – Barcelona, Spain Live Stream: Paramount + Odds: FC Barcelona – 165; Draw +300. Inter+425
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