After a six-goal thriller in the first leg, Inter Milan and Barcelona return for the decider at San Siro with a place in the Champions League final on the line.
Kick-off is at 8 p.m. Moroccan time (GMT+1) and fans can catch the action live on BeIN Sports 1 MENA, BeIN Sports 1 English, Canal+ Foot, and M+ Liga de Campeones.
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The first leg at Montjuic had everything: early drama, wonder goals, defensive chaos and a dazzling display of youth and experience alike. Marcus Thuram struck just 30 seconds in, Denzel Dumfries bagged a brace, and Lamine Yamal reminded the world why he’s football’s next big thing. The 3-3 draw leaves it perfectly poised.
Inter return to Milan with the backing of their raucous home crowd and a formidable European record at San Siro – unbeaten in their last 15 Champions League home ties, with 12 wins. Simone Inzaghi’s men, semi-finalists in back-to-back seasons, are eyeing another shot at glory after falling short against City last year.
Inzaghi is confident ahead of the game. Speaking in the pre-match presser, he said: “We need to be determined. We’re two games away from something great. We know what Barcelona bring – but we’re ready.”
The big question surrounds Lautaro Martínez’s fitness. The Argentine, Inter’s top scorer, remains a doubt with a thigh issue, while Benjamin Pavard is also touch-and-go. Hakan Calhanoglu returns, and the likes of Dumfries, Thuram and Yann Sommer are expected to start after being rested at the weekend.
Barça, meanwhile, arrive with momentum and a mission. They’ve already lifted the Copa del Rey and Supercopa, and sit top of La Liga. But it’s Europe that they truly crave – a final they could reach for the first time since 2015.
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Manager Hansi Flick has turned heads with a dynamic, high-scoring side that has already chalked up 40 goals in this campaign. Raphinha and Yamal are wreaking havoc, and Robert Lewandowski, back from injury, could be the difference-maker.
But history isn’t kind to Barça on Italian soil. Just five wins from 24 Champions League matches in Italy. And only one win from six visits to San Siro.
Flick was calm and composed in the build-up: “This team has no fear. It’s about the group, not individuals. We know the task and we’re ready to enjoy the game.”
Lewandowski could feature from the bench, but key defenders Koundé and Balde remain sidelined. Pau Cubarsí and Eric Garcia are expected to anchor the backline.
Predicted Line-ups:
Inter Milan: Sommer; Bisseck, Acerbi, Bastoni; Dumfries, Barella, Calhanoglu, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Arnautovic, Thuram
Barcelona: Szczesny; Garcia, Araujo, Cubarsi, Martinez; De Jong, Pedri; Yamal, Olmo, Raphinha; Torres
Score Prediction:
All signs point to another classic as Inter’s steel goes against Barça’s spark. But with Barcelona in fine form, their free-flowing attack is likely to give the Nerazzurri a proper headache.
Verdict: Inter 0-2 Barcelona
