A massive European night awaits at Montjuïc on Wednesday as Barcelona host Inter Milan in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League semi-final. With Barcelona looking to reclaim continental dominance and Inter desperate to save their season, this clash promises everything — history, tension, and elite football drama.
The two European giants arrive with vastly different momentum. Barcelona, under the guidance of Hansi Flick, are flying in Europe, averaging over three goals per game and unbeaten at home in the Champions League this season. In contrast, Inter Milan are in a deep rut — winless in their last three games and goalless during that stretch.
For Simone Inzaghi’s veteran squad, this semi-final represents both a lifeline and an opportunity to carve their names into history — not just for the club, but for their careers.
Barcelona: Back at Europe’s Business End
Barcelona have quietly built a formidable European campaign this season. At home, they’ve been particularly ruthless — five wins and one draw, with a staggering 21 goals scored at Camp Nou. Only their 1999/2000 team (29 goals in 8 home games) have scored more at home in a single Champions League season.
Hansi Flick’s attacking blueprint is bearing fruit, and no team has enjoyed more goal-scoring freedom under the German in Europe since his Bayern Munich days — 3.1 goals per game, only slightly behind his Bayern side (3.2).
The creative connection between Lamine Yamal and Raphinha has been electric. The duo has combined for five goals, the most of any pairing in the tournament, and have created 16 chances between them — split evenly at eight apiece.
Raphinha, in particular, is on a mission. With 15 goals and 11 assists in 24 Champions League appearances, only Erling Haaland (36) and Luis Suárez (28) have had more goal contributions in their first 25 UCL games.
Inter Milan: Veteran Grit Meets European Legacy
While Barcelona thrive with youth and speed, Inter Milan arrive as the outliers. In a tournament filled with young stars, Simone Inzaghi’s squad is defined by experience. The average age of their starting XI this season is 30 years and 13 days — the oldest among all 36 teams in the competition.
If Inter go on to lift the trophy, they’ll set a new record as the oldest team to ever win the Champions League, overtaking the 2009/10 Inter side coached by José Mourinho.
That team also knocked out Barcelona in the semifinal stage and went on to complete a historic treble. A similar storyline now lies ahead — but this time Inter enter the tie as clear underdogs.
Iconic memory: Lautaro in Barcelona #ForzaInter #UCL #BarcelonaInter https://t.co/1dXD7yZKRA
— Inter ⭐⭐ (@Inter_en) April 30, 2025
Head-to-Head: A Storied Rivalry
Barcelona and Inter have met 16 times in European competition, with the Catalans winning eight, drawing five, and losing just three. However, Inter remain unbeaten in the last two meetings — a 1-0 win in Milan and a thrilling 3-3 draw at Camp Nou during the 2022-23 group stage.
This will be only the second time the clubs face off in the knockout rounds, with the previous meeting — in 2009-10 — ending 3-2 on aggregate in Inter’s favour.
Yet Inter have never won at Camp Nou in European competition (W0 D1 L5). Those five losses are tied for the most they’ve suffered against any team away from home in the Champions League.
Barcelona OR Inter ❓#UCL pic.twitter.com/MgQ48Zku8N
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) April 30, 2025
Players to Watch: Records, Stats & X-Factors
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Lautaro Martínez has scored in five straight Champions League games. One more, and he joins Edinson Cavani as the only South American players to score in six consecutive matches in the competition.
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Nicolò Barella is Inter’s heartbeat in midfield. He leads all players in the tournament for progressive passes per 90 (7.1) and has the highest progressive pass percentage among central midfielders (12%).
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Inter’s defence has been a wall — they’re on eight clean sheets this campaign, just one shy of the all-time UCL record for an Italian club (9), held jointly by AC Milan (2004-05) and Juventus (2016-17).
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Simone Inzaghi is coaching his 50th Champions League match — the most wins (26) by an Italian manager at this stage in their European career.
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For Barcelona, Montjuïc is a fortress — they are unbeaten in 6 home UCL matches this season, and their home form will be their biggest weapon in the tie.
All Eyes on Montjuïc
This semi-final showdown is not just about one game — it’s about legacies. Can Barcelona take a giant stride toward a sixth European crown under Flick’s exciting new era? Or will Inter’s experienced warriors summon one more epic performance to rewrite their season?
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