Football fans are in for a nostalgic showdown as two European giants prepare to meet once again on the grand stage.
Fifteen years after their iconic Champions League semi-final battle, Barcelona and Inter Milan are set to renew hostilities in a blockbuster last-four tie.
The first leg takes place on Wednesday night at Montjuic Stadium, with both giants aiming to take a decisive step toward the final in London next month.
Back in 2010, it was Jose Mourinho’s Inter who famously held off Barcelona’s tiki-taka brilliance en route to continental glory. This time, under new leadership and with different philosophies, both teams are again on the cusp of the biggest game in European club football.
Not since their last triumph in 2015 have the Blaugrana made it to the semi-finals, but a fearless, attack-minded squad has reignited European hopes. Averaging 3.1 goals per game — second only to Flick’s 2019–20 Bayern Munich — Barca’s route to the last four has been emphatic.
They finished second in the new league phase, then swept past Benfica and Dortmund, the latter in commanding style with a 4-0 win at home that rendered their 3-1 loss in Germany irrelevant. That strong home form continues to be a cornerstone of their campaign — they’re unbeaten at Montjuic, with five wins and 21 goals scored.
Confidence is high after a dramatic Copa del Rey final victory over Real Madrid, where Jules Kounde’s extra-time strike sealed a 3-2 win. With domestic momentum, they lead La Liga by four points.
Inter Milan, runners-up in last year’s final, are determined to go one better. Simone Inzaghi’s men may not have matched Barcelona’s goal tally, but their defensive steel has been remarkable.
Conceding just five times and boasting eight clean sheets, they have ground their way into the semi-finals with resolve.
After a perfect group stage, Inter saw off Feyenoord and then stunned Bayern Munich, winning in Bavaria thanks to a late Davide Frattesi goal and drawing 2-2 at home to advance. Despite recent domestic struggles ,including three straight defeats without scoring and a Coppa Italia exit to AC Milan — their European resilience remains intact.
Inzaghi will take charge of his 50th Champions League match, holding an impressive record of 26 wins, unmatched by any other Italian coach at the same milestone.
Barcelona are sweating on the fitness of left-back Alejandro Balde, while Robert Lewandowski remains out with a hamstring issue.
Wojciech Szczesny is expected to continue in goal despite Marc-Andre ter Stegen’s return to training. Wingers Lamine Yamal and Raphinha have been electric, combining for more goals and chances than any duo in the competition.
Inter will hope to have Marcus Thuram back to partner captain Lautaro Martinez, who has scored in his last five Champions League appearances.
Benjamin Pavard is a doubt after picking up an ankle injury, but Alessandro Bastoni and Henrikh Mkhitaryan return from Serie A suspensions.
Predicted Lineups:
Barcelona: Szczesny, Kounde, Cubarsi, Martinez, Martin, De Jong, Pedri; Yamal, Olmo, Raphinha, Torres
Inter Milan:Sommer, Bisseck, Acerbi, Bastoni, Dumfries, Barella, Calhanoglu, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco, Martinez, Thuram
