A new moment of truth has arrived for Barça. With the Copa del Rey title already in the bag, the Champions League is knocking on the door. The Azulgranas welcome Inter Milan to Montjuic on Wednesday, April 30, at 9 p.m. for the first leg of the Champions League semifinals.
Barça suffered a sweet defeat in Dortmund by 3-1, in the worst game of the season for the Azulgranas, but it was enough for Hansi Flick’s side to reach the Champions League semi-finals for the first time in six years. The Azulgranas were well below their best and lost for the first time in 2025, after a run of 20 wins and four draws. Barça lost, but their place in the competition is not in danger after their convincing 4-0 win in the first leg.
Now in the semi-finals, they found out their opponents last night. Barça will face Inter Milan in the Champions League semi-finals after the Nerazzurri knocked Bayern Munich out of the competition on Wednesday. Despite drawing 2-2, they held on to their 1-2 lead from the first leg at the Allianz Arena.
Hansi Flick’s side will relive the 2010 Champions League tie, in which the Italians, under Mourinho, knocked Barça out of the competition.
The two teams arrive in very different situations, with Barcelona riding high after winning the Copa del Rey and still leading LaLiga by four points over Real Madrid. The situation is very different for Inter Milan, who come into this Champions League clash after losing the lead to Napoli and being knocked out of the Coppa Italia.
Balde and Lewandowski out
Despite the intense battle against Madrid, Flick had no further injuries to report, with only a few knocks to contend with. On the downside, unfortunately, no players will be available for the first leg against the Italians. Robert Lewandowski and Alejandro Balde are still not fit to be given the all-clear.
Possible Barça XI
Goalkeeper: Wojciech Szczesny
Defenders: Gerard Martín, Pau Cubarsí, Iñigo Martínez, and Jules Kounde
Midfielders: De Jong, Pedri, Dani Olmo
Forwards: Lamine Yamal, Raphinha, and Ferran Torres
Thuram arrives
Marcus Thuram completed part of today’s training session on his own, and there is a lot of optimism within the club that the Frenchman will be included in the squad and even start the game. The player seems to have overcome the adductor injury he suffered on April 18 against Bayern at San Siro. Pavard will not be available after having to ask to be substituted in the 15th minute of the first half of the last league game due to an injury to his left ankle.
Possible Inter XI
Goalkeeper: Sommer
Defenders: Augusto, Acerbi, Bastoni
Midfielders: Dumfries, Çalhanoğlu, Mkhitaryan, Barella, Dimarco
Forwards: Lautaro Martínez, Thuram