Another significant week in European football culminates with the conclusion of the UEFA Champions League semifinals, beginning with Barcelona`s visit to Milan on Tuesday.
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Inter Aims for Upset, Awaiting Martinez Fitness
Inter Milan might be building momentum, but despite the first leg`s draw and playing at home for the second leg on Tuesday, Simone Inzaghi`s squad is considered the underdog against Barcelona. This perception isn`t unfounded; while Inter is known for defense, that wasn`t evident in the recent 3-3 draw, and they face potential player absences for the upcoming match.
Lautaro Martinez and Benjamin Pavard are questionable due to injuries. Martinez has a hamstring issue from the first leg in Barcelona, while Pavard is dealing with an ankle problem from a few days prior. Inzaghi remained tight-lipped in his pre-match conference on Monday, stating their availability would be decided on game day.
Inzaghi: `We`ll decide tomorrow with the staff and the players. They`ll have to tell me how they feel. Pavard has good feelings, Lautaro hasn`t trained since the Barcelona match. Let`s see how he is today in training.`
This situation places pressure on Marcus Thuram to be Inter`s main threat as they push to reach the Champions League final, particularly after his strong showing in the first leg. Thuram is Inter`s second-highest scorer this season with 18 goals across all competitions and will be crucial in exploiting Barcelona`s somewhat vulnerable defense. Set pieces, highlighted by Denzel Dumfries` brace last week, could also be key scoring opportunities. The critical question remains whether this will be enough to overcome a Barcelona side featuring Lamine Yamal, who is also a major talking point…
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Barcelona Continues Treble Pursuit
Barcelona arrives in Milan at the beginning of a pivotal week for their treble aspirations, with a spot in the Champions League final on the line against Inter on Tuesday and a vital El Clasico match in La Liga coming up on Sunday. Their fate remains significantly in their own hands, especially in the Champions League, bolstered by the return of Robert Lewandowski, who traveled to Italy after being sidelined for several weeks.
While Lewandowski`s potential significant contribution against Inter would be a major boost, Lamine Yamal continues to draw significant attention. Following his impactful 100th appearance for Barcelona in the first leg last week, the 17-year-old is increasingly the focal point for Hansi Flick`s team, solidifying his reputation as the game`s most promising young talent. Inter manager Inzaghi, tasked with limiting Yamal`s influence, acknowledged the difficulty of this challenge. He mentioned planning defensive adjustments to contain the Barcelona youngster while joining the chorus of praise for the teenager.
Inzaghi: `We have to try not to let him get the ball, but it`s impossible. Obviously, he`ll be double-marked, a player who will be closely watched, and we`ll try to pay attention to him. In person, he`s a tremendous talent; he`s truly dangerous and everyone gives him the ball. I was impressed by his quick thinking; he always knows what play to make.`
With Lewandowski potentially available, Barcelona could deploy their full attacking strength in Tuesday`s encounter in Milan. The trio of Lewandowski, Yamal, and Raphinha alone has accounted for 86 goals across all competitions for Flick`s side, showcasing an offensive-minded strategy that has helped them compensate for fairly regular defensive lapses. Although the aggregate score is level, this tie appears to be Barcelona`s to lose, as demonstrated by their dominant performance in the first leg. Similar to the Copa del Rey final last month, the onus is on them to rise to the occasion.
