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The UEFA Champions League is back for another dramatic week, and this time we are down to four. The remaining four teams have been impressive throughout the knockout stages, and any of the four could lift the Champions League trophy in Munich in late May.
FC Barcelona will take on Inter Milan in a battle between attack and defense. The two sides have become favorites to win this competition as the season went on, and now the two meet in a tight semifinal. The first leg is this week at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys.
Barcelona are the favorites on paper as their attack has been a problem for many teams this season, both in La Liga and in the Champions League. Barcelona are league leaders in Spain and have already won two trophies this season. (Spanish Super Cup and Copa del Rey)
Barcelona finished 2nd in the new Champions League format with 19 points and a record of six wins, one draw, and one loss. As the knockout stage went along, Barcelona eliminated Benfica and Borussia Dortmund.
The Catalan side were undefeated in 2025 until the second leg of the UCL quarter finals against Dortmund arrived. They lost 3-1 but won the tie with an aggregate score of 5-3.
Inter Milan finished 4th in the Champions League format with the same record and points as Barca, but with a lower goal difference. (Barca +15, Inter +10)
Inter were aiming for a treble this season, but that has been put to bed by their rivals, AC Milan, last week, as they lost 3-0 in the second leg of the Coppa Italia semi final. They lost 4-1 on aggregate, and their recent form has been poor.
Inter has also lost two league games in a row against Bologna and Roma, respectively. Despite the poor form as of late, Inter were impressive in the knockout stages of the Champions League. The Italians eliminated Feyenoord in the Round of 16 and then eliminated Bayern Munich in the quarterfinals.
Inter defeated Bayern 4-3 on aggregate after two legs played and showcased their impressive counterattacks that can hurt any team. Inter only conceded one goal in the first phase of the UCL, but in the knockout stage, they have conceded four.
While Inter have leaked goals recently, they are expected to play a low block against a strong attack from FC Barcelona. The Spanish side is relentless in the press, but they have been caught on occasions when they push forward, which is something Inter can capitalize on.
Inter will be without Marcus Thuram and Benjamin Pavard, but the return of Denzel Dumfries will help the Italians. Barcelona will be without their main striker, Robert Lewandowski, but Ferran Torres has stepped up in recent weeks.
The last time these two teams met was in 2022 for the 22/23 Champions League season. During that season, group stages were still a thing, and the two were in Group C along with Bayern Munich and Viktoria Plzen.
In their last match, Barcelona and Inter drew 3-3 in the Camp Nou. It was the second game between the two in that group, as the first game at San Siro was a 1-0 win for the Italians. This led the Nerazzurri to advance to the knockout stages along with Bayern Munich. Barcelona finished third in the group and had to play in the Europa League.
Inter Milan reached the 2023 Champions League Final against Manchester City, which they lost 1-0. Barcelona were eliminated by Manchester United in the Round of 32 of the Europa League.
Kickoff Time: 3 p.m. ET, Wednesday (April 30)
How to Watch: Paramount+ https://www.paramountplus.com/shows/uefa-champions-league/
Continue reading...
FC Barcelona will take on Inter Milan in a battle between attack and defense. The two sides have become favorites to win this competition as the season went on, and now the two meet in a tight semifinal. The first leg is this week at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys.
Barcelona are the favorites on paper as their attack has been a problem for many teams this season, both in La Liga and in the Champions League. Barcelona are league leaders in Spain and have already won two trophies this season. (Spanish Super Cup and Copa del Rey)
Barcelona finished 2nd in the new Champions League format with 19 points and a record of six wins, one draw, and one loss. As the knockout stage went along, Barcelona eliminated Benfica and Borussia Dortmund.
The Catalan side were undefeated in 2025 until the second leg of the UCL quarter finals against Dortmund arrived. They lost 3-1 but won the tie with an aggregate score of 5-3.
Inter Milan finished 4th in the Champions League format with the same record and points as Barca, but with a lower goal difference. (Barca +15, Inter +10)
Inter were aiming for a treble this season, but that has been put to bed by their rivals, AC Milan, last week, as they lost 3-0 in the second leg of the Coppa Italia semi final. They lost 4-1 on aggregate, and their recent form has been poor.
Inter has also lost two league games in a row against Bologna and Roma, respectively. Despite the poor form as of late, Inter were impressive in the knockout stages of the Champions League. The Italians eliminated Feyenoord in the Round of 16 and then eliminated Bayern Munich in the quarterfinals.
Inter defeated Bayern 4-3 on aggregate after two legs played and showcased their impressive counterattacks that can hurt any team. Inter only conceded one goal in the first phase of the UCL, but in the knockout stage, they have conceded four.
Injuries ahead of the 1st Leg
While Inter have leaked goals recently, they are expected to play a low block against a strong attack from FC Barcelona. The Spanish side is relentless in the press, but they have been caught on occasions when they push forward, which is something Inter can capitalize on.
Inter will be without Marcus Thuram and Benjamin Pavard, but the return of Denzel Dumfries will help the Italians. Barcelona will be without their main striker, Robert Lewandowski, but Ferran Torres has stepped up in recent weeks.
The last FC Barcelona vs Inter Milan
The last time these two teams met was in 2022 for the 22/23 Champions League season. During that season, group stages were still a thing, and the two were in Group C along with Bayern Munich and Viktoria Plzen.
In their last match, Barcelona and Inter drew 3-3 in the Camp Nou. It was the second game between the two in that group, as the first game at San Siro was a 1-0 win for the Italians. This led the Nerazzurri to advance to the knockout stages along with Bayern Munich. Barcelona finished third in the group and had to play in the Europa League.
Inter Milan reached the 2023 Champions League Final against Manchester City, which they lost 1-0. Barcelona were eliminated by Manchester United in the Round of 32 of the Europa League.
Barcelona vs Inter Milan at Estadi Olímpic: How to Watch, Stream Link, and Kickoff Time
Kickoff Time: 3 p.m. ET, Wednesday (April 30)
How to Watch: Paramount+ https://www.paramountplus.com/shows/uefa-champions-league/
Continue reading...
