Both semifinals of the Champions League are alive and well for the second leg clashes, with Barcelona vs Inter Milan an even contest, and PSG holding just a 1 goal lead on Arsenal for their home leg in Paris. Who will advance to the final? We preview all the action.
Barcelona at Inter Milan
(Tuesday in Milan, 3-3 on aggregate)
The game of the season in the 24-25 Champions League was the first leg clash in Barcelona between these teams. What Inter Milan lacked in terms of flair, creativity, and pace, they made up for physicality and size, Denzel Dumfries scored a magical second, and Marcus Thuram scored in the opening minute, as Inter Milan raced out to a 2-0 lead. Inter Milan would go on to score three goals on the night (Dumfries scoring twice) and never trailed in a match where they were road underdogs. Going into the match, Inter Milan had failed to produce goals in Serie A, but they came alive against a Barcelona side that setup poorly on set pieces defensively and was outright bullied at times. In fact, a controversial offside call kept the match from finishing 4-3 in favor of Inter.
Barcelona brought flair and creativity to the match to claw their way back to a respectable outcome, Lamine Yamal had a legacy making game at just 17, running circles around the Inter defence and scoring a golazo that was Barcelona’s first. Raphinha and Ferran Torres were also reliable goalscorers for Barca in the absence of Robert Lewandowski. Lewy will likely start from the bench for the second leg but could be a factor later in the match. Inter Milan will rely on Lautaro Martinez, who came up injured during the first leg but is set to make a rapid recovery to try to shoulder the weight for his team.
Both teams won their domestic matches with rotated lineups on the weekend, as Barcelona continues to lead La Liga with another El Clasico looming this weekend, and Inter is still trailing Napoli by 3 points with three matches left.
Defensively sound and laden with veterans, this Inter team will believe in their chances at home to at least force extra time, if not outright win. With the away goal rule no longer a factor, the odds are effectively even in this matchup, though San Siro is a cauldron for the hosts. Inter won’t be easily rattled, but when Barcelona revs up the attack they have looked unstoppable for stretches of the season. Benjamin Pavard will be missing for Inter, while Barcelona are weak in the backline with Jules Kounde and Alejandro Balde missing due to injury.
Szczesny and Barcelona’s defence simply have to prepare better for how Inter will try to find the back of the net, the Italian side was otherwise limited, while Barcelona has many options to score. Expect one of Barcelona’s attackers to lead them to an early goal, and they will look to add at least one more to take Inter out of the game and reduce the pressure on their backline. Going against Hansi Flick in a decisive game feels wrong with everything the Blaugrana have achieved this season already. Prediction: Barcelona 2 Inter Milan 1 (Barcelona advances 5-4 on aggregate)
Arsenal at PSG
(Wednesday in Paris, 1-0 PSG on aggregate)
The first leg was a bit strange, the atmosphere in North London was panned as “subdued”, as PSG scored an early goal through the talents of Ousmane Dembele. Both teams would go on to create meaningful chances, as Arsenal finished with an xG of 1.63 compared to PSG 1.16, but the actual scoreline would disappoint for Arsenal, as they scored nothing at home and lost 1-0, with a Mikel Merino goal from Arsenal disallowed. PSG began well but Arsenal came into the game through Declan Rice, and it was through the talents of Donnarumma and CB Marquinhos that Arsenal were denied the draw. Compared to the thrills and spills of Inter Milan vs Barcelona, the first leg in this matchup was cagey and tactical. PSG will look to come out flying at home in this one and take Arsenal out of the tie early.
Both sides lost their domestic games on the weekend, PSG rotated their squad though, although neither have anything to play for in their own leagues this late in the season. The possible absence of Dembele for PSG makes the odds a bit more favorable for Arsenal, but PSG has shown they can defend soundly and likely have more attacking prowess for this tie. Anything is possible, but I would be surprised to see PSG miss their chance at this Champions League final appearance with the new look squad they assembled. Arsenal look a piece or two short squad wise of achieving glory. Prediction: PSG 1 Arsenal 1 (PSG advances 2-1 on aggregate)
Main Photo Credit: IMAGO: Barcelona, Marc Casado, Lamine Yamal
