Match Overview
FC Barcelona will be facing Inter on Wednesday for the first leg of the UEFA Champions League semifinals. The game comes shortly after Barcelona, managed by Hansi Flick, clinched their second title of the season by defeating Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey final.
The Blaugrana currently lead La Liga, holding a solid position for a potential treble this year. Conversely, Inter is struggling after a string of losses, finding themselves in a tough spot in Serie A and lagging behind Napoli.
Recent Events
A massive power outage struck Spain, affecting major cities including Madrid and Barcelona, which may raise concerns for Inter’s travel plans. This blackout echoes a significant incident back in 2010 when volcanic ash disrupted air travel.
Watching the Match
- Date: Wednesday, April 30
- Time: 3 p.m. ET
- Location: Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys, Barcelona, Spain
- Live Stream: Paramount+
- Odds: FC Barcelona -165, Draw +300, Inter +425
The Last Encounter
The last clash between these two teams was during the group stage in the 2022-23 season. The match featured a thrilling 2-2 draw, showcasing goals from both sides.
Predicted Lineups
- FC Barcelona XI: Wojciech Szczesny, Jules Kounde, Ronald Araujo, Pau Cubarsi, Inigo Martinez, Pedri, Gavi, Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo, Raphinha, Ferran Torres.
- Inter XI: Yann Sommer; Yann Bisseck, Francesco Acerbi, Alessandro Bastoni; Denzel Dumfries, Nicolo Barella, Hakan Calhanoglu, Henrix Mkhitaryan, Federico Dimarco; Lautaro Martinez, Marko Arnautovic.
Player to Watch
Raphinha has been a standout player for Barcelona this season, making significant contributions with 30 goals in 50 matches and could potentially contend for the Ballon d’Or.
Injury Updates
Both teams have notable injury concerns. Barcelona will miss Robert Lewandowski, whilst Inter welcomes back a couple of key players but will not have French defender Benjamin Pavard available.
Final Thoughts
Barcelona appears to have a favorable advantage, especially against an Inter side that is struggling. The expected outcome favors Barcelona, with a predicted score of Barcelona 2, Inter 1.
