The UEFA Champions League semifinals are set for thrilling second-leg encounters. Inter Milan is hosting FC Barcelona at the San Siro on Tuesday following an exhilarating 3-3 draw in their first meeting last week in Barcelona. This result demonstrated Inter`s potential to reach the final, despite their recent inconsistencies in Serie A.
The following day, Wednesday, Paris Saint-Germain will welcome Arsenal to Paris for the return leg. PSG holds a narrow advantage after securing a 1-0 victory in London in the first leg.
For Inter, coached by Simone Inzaghi, reaching the Champions League final could redefine their season, especially with three matches remaining in their domestic league where they trail Napoli. Achieving this against a powerhouse like FC Barcelona, managed by Hansi Flick, will be a formidable challenge. Barcelona has shown themselves to be among Europe`s elite, pursuing a potential treble after winning the Copa del Rey and leading La Liga by four points over Real Madrid. The upcoming week, including their final league match against Real Madrid on May 11, is crucial for Barcelona`s season aspirations. As both Inter`s and Barcelona`s campaigns hinge significantly on Tuesday`s clash, PSG and Arsenal are also vying for a historic final appearance. Below are the four players, one from each team, whose individual performances are poised to be decisive in these critical second legs.
Marcus Thuram, Inter
The French forward played a pivotal role for Inter in the first leg against Barcelona, scoring the opening goal just 30 seconds into the match, setting a record for the fastest goal in UEFA Champions League semifinal history. Thuram recovered from a muscle injury just in time for the first leg and immediately proved his importance to Inter`s attacking setup and his partnership with Lautaro Martinez. With concerns surrounding Lautaro Martinez`s fitness after suffering a muscular injury in the first leg, Thuram`s influence becomes even more central for Inzaghi`s squad. Inter needs Thuram at his very best to potentially reach their second Champions League final in three seasons, having lost the 2023 final 1-0 to Manchester City in Istanbul. Thuram is enjoying a standout season with 14 goals and seven assists to date.
Lamine Yamal, Barcelona
While it may seem obvious, Barcelona`s success in their second-leg semifinal against Inter is significantly dependent on the performance of their standout player, Lamine Yamal. The Spanish winger delivered an absolutely incredible display in the first leg, which also marked his 100th appearance for Barcelona. In that match, he scored a stunning goal that helped his team recover after conceding twice. With uncertainty surrounding Polish striker Robert Lewandowski`s spot in the starting lineup, much of the attacking pressure will fall on Lamine Yamal and Raphinha. Having scored 15 goals and provided 24 assists this season, this FC Barcelona team heavily relies on the contributions of their most talented player.
Gianluigi Donnarumma, PSG
The Italian goalkeeper has been one of PSG`s top performers throughout their Champions League campaign. The former AC Milan star made crucial saves in the Round of 16 against Liverpool and later against Aston Villa, particularly in the second leg in England. He followed those displays with another exceptional performance in the first leg versus Arsenal, reinforcing his status as one of Europe`s elite goalkeepers. PSG is still striving for their first-ever Champions League trophy, having lost the 2020 final to Bayern Munich, and a significant part of their pursuit will rely on the performance of their starting goalkeeper, who has been phenomenal this season.
Martin Ødegaard, Arsenal
Mikel Arteta`s Arsenal had a disappointing outcome in the first leg at home, losing 1-0 to PSG, but the English side has the opportunity to mount a comeback in the second leg. A key factor in their potential reversal is the performance of their captain and main creative force, Martin Ødegaard. The Norwegian attacking midfielder is crucial for providing the necessary creativity in Arsenal`s attack. With three goals already scored in this season`s Champions League, Ødegaard is expected to lead his team on Wednesday, supported by players like English winger Bukayo Saka and midfielder Declan Rice.
