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Barcelona enter this UEFA Champions League (UCL) semi-final first leg against Inter Milan on a high having beaten rivals Real Madrid 3-2 after extra-time to win the Copa del Rey for a record-extending 32nd time on Saturday. After playing an extra 30 minutes, they’ll appreciate the extra day’s rest they’ve had over their Italian counterparts as they prepare for a 17th European meeting, aiming to build on their solid H2H record (W8, D5, L3).
This is the first clash of the sides in the knockout stage since José Mourinho inspired Inter to an aggregate victory in the 2009/10 semi-finals, although even then the Blaugrana still triumphed 1-0 at home. Hopes will be high of a repeat given they’re unbeaten at home in the UCL this term (W5, D1), but although they scored 3+ times in five of those encounters, the only side to stop them winning and scoring more than twice was an Italian side (Atalanta).
While the Spaniards are still on for a quadruple, the best Inter can now manage is a double having lost 3-0 to rivals AC Milan in the Coppa Italia last week. Even that’s now in doubt after they lost 1-0 to Roma in Serie A on Sunday, a result which leaves them three points off the title pace and means Simone Inzaghi’s side have now gone four competitive games without a win (D1, L3) and three without scoring (L3), which is hardly ideal form ahead of this trip.
Although their domestic form has dipped, the Nerazzurri have excelled in Europe and are unbeaten in six UCL games (W5, D1) having already beaten Feyenoord and Bayern Munich in the knockouts. Winning their last three UCL away fixtures stands them in good stead as they head to Spain, although it’s now more than 20 years since they won in this country (D3, L7).
Players to watch: Raphinha opened the scoring in both of Barcelona’s last two UCL home games and six of the seven goals he’s netted here in Europe this term arrived before the break. Inter’s Hakan Çalhanoğlu has scored three UCL goals this season, all of them direct free kicks or penalties and each in Inter victories.
Hot stat: Inter have kept eight UCL clean sheets this term, one short of the Italian record held by Juventus and AC Milan.
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