Barcelona have taken out the first part of a potential treble and now have Inter Milan in their sights in the UEFA Champions League semifinals.
Hansi Flick’s side beat Real Madrid 3-2 after extra time in a dramatic Copa del Rey final on Saturday and have a four-point lead over their bitter rivals with five games remaining in La Liga’s title race.
Inter are sure to provide a stern test, having dispatched Bayern Munich in the previous round. Simone Inzaghi’s men were beaten finalists in 2023 and are in their own domestic battle for a league title, although a shock 1-0 home defeat to Roma on Sunday left them three points shy of Napoli at the Serie A summit.
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Barcelona vs. Inter Milan predicted lineups, starting 11, team news
Robert Lewandowski remains on the sidelines with a hamstring injury and the May 11 Clasico against Real Madrid remains the star striker’s target. Ferran Torres produced an impressive goal-scoring appearance in his absence in the Copa del Rey final.
Alejandro Balde is battling to return from his own hamstring problem and Gerard Martin is ready to continue at left-back if he does not make it.
Marc Casado remains out with a knee problem and Marc Bernal is a long-term absentee.
Barcelona predicted lineup (4-2-3-1): Szczesny (GK) — Kounde, I. Martinez, Cubarsi, Gerard Martin — Pedri, De Jong — Lamine Yamal, Olmo, Raphinha — Ferran Torres
Injured: Lewandowski (hamstring), Balde (hamstring, doubt), Casado (knee), Bernal (ACL)
Suspended: None
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Marcus Thuram is closing in on fitness and hopes to start up front alongside Lautaro Martinez after missing Inter’s past three matches with a thigh problem. Joaquin Correa, Mehdi Taremi and veteran forward Marko Arnautovic are Inzaghi’s alternatives.
Denzel Dumfries and Piotr Zielinski each returned to action against Roma following lay-offs and suffered no ill-effects, although defender Benjamin Pavard is a major doubt after sustaining a sprained ankle.
Inter Milan predicted lineup (3-5-2): Sommer (GK) — Augusto, Acerbi, Bastoni — Dumfries, Calhanoglu, Mkhitaryan, Barella, Dimarco — Martinez, Thuram
Injured: Pavard (ankle, doubt), Thuram (muscular, doubt)
Suspended: None
Barcelona vs. Inter Milan live stream, TV channel
Here’s how to watch this Champions League semifinal, first leg across selected areas of the world’s major regions:
