FC Barcelona vs Inter Milan: Possible lineups, absences and analysis - Champions League 2024-25

Published:29/04/2025 - 17:56h

Updated:30/04/2025 - 18:48h

Will Flick keep his gala eleven? Possible surprise lineup of Barça against Inter in the first leg of the 'semis' of the Champions League 24/25

FC Barcelona and Inter Milan face each other this Wednesday in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League 2024-25 semi-finals. The 'Azulgrana' team arrives with renewed spirits after the historic consecration in the final of the Copa del Rey against Real Madrid (3-2). Beyond the enormous wear and tear of playing 120 minutes at La Cartuja, the team has received a brutal injection of confidence after achieving the first step towards the treble.

In addition, the 'culés' arrive without new injury absences, recovering Ter Stegen (he will be Szczesny's substitute) and awaiting the returns of Alejandro Balde and Robert Lewandowski. Inter, on the other hand, arrives in a very delicate moment in Catalonia, with three defeats in a row that left them out of the Italian Cup and without the lead in Serie A. The 'nerazurri' will also have a significant absence in defense.

Next, we review the possible starting lineup, the substitutes' bench and the injured and sanctioned players of Hansi Flick's Barcelona for the first leg of the Champions League 'semis'.

Hansi Flick's possible lineup for Barcelona vs Inter Milan ¡Complete analysis!

Probable starting XI of Barça:

(#25, GK) Szczesny
(#23) Koundé
(#02) Pau Cubarsí
(#05) Iñigo Martínez
(#35) Gerard Martín
(#21) Frenkie de Jong
(#08) Pedri
(#20) Dani Olmo
(#19) Lamine Yamal
(#11) Raphinha
(#07) Ferran Torres

Barça's bench (substitute players):

(#13, GK) Iñaki Peña
(#26, P). Astralaga
(#04) Ronald Araujo
(#06) Gavi
(#10) Ansu Fati
(#14) Pablo Torre
(#15) Andreas Christensen
(#16) Fermín López
(#18) Pau Víctor
(#24) Eric García
(#32) Héctor Fort

Injured players of Barça:

(#03) Alejandro Balde
(#09) Robert Lewandowski
(#17) Marc Casadó
(#28) Marc Bernal

Sanctioned players of Barça:

None (there are no sanctioned players)

In principle, Flick plans to keep his gala lineup with respect to the match against Real Madrid.

Goalkeeper and defense:

Szczesny will be in goal, while Koundé and Gerard Martín remain on the flanks after a very intense match in the Cup. In the center of the defense, Iñigo Martínez will once again accompany Pau Cubarsí, with Ronald Araujo waiting for his opportunity on the bench.

Midfield:

As a pivot, Frenkie de Jong will be again. The Dutchman will once again be Pedri's partner in midfield, while Dani Olmo, who only played 65 minutes against Madrid, will once again be the team's attacking midfielder. Fermín López, a key figure in extra time against Madrid, could also be in the starting lineup on Wednesday.

Forward:

In attack, Raphinha and Ferran Torres complete the 'Azulgrana' attack alongside Lamine Yamal. The 'Shark' remains as the team's '9' in the absence of Robert Lewandowski, injured since the League match against Celta.

Significant Absences: Who are the injured players of Barça against Inter Milan?

As in the final of the Copa del Rey, the great novelty of the list of summoned for the first Champions League semi-final, without a doubt, is the return of Marc-André ter Stegen. The German received medical discharge after seven months and 217 days of absence due to a rupture of the patellar tendon in his right leg, shortening his return by about a month.

However, the injuries of Lewandowski, Alejandro Balde, Casadó and Bernal represent a significant challenge for FC Barcelona in this decisive stretch of the season.

Next, we detail the individual impact of each absence due to injury on the team.

Robert Lewandowski (Starting center forward)

Robert Lewandowski during the match between FC Barcelona and Alavés (1-0)

The Polish striker, without a doubt, will be the team's most significant absence to face Inter Milan. Lewandowski was injured in the League match against Celta on Saturday, April 19 and still has no confirmed return date.

Impact: The Pole is Barça's top scorer in the Champions League, with 11 goals in 12 matches. So far, he had been a starter in all matches of the league phase and the KO phase. In the first leg of the quarter-finals against Dortmund, he scored a fundamental double for the 'Azulgrana' classification.
Consequences: In principle, 'Lewy' will be out for about three weeks, but his presence in the return leg of the 'semis' is not assured. Without him, Barcelona loses forcefulness inside the area, beyond the good work done by Ferran Torres this season.

Alejandro Balde (Starting left back)

Alejandro Balde, in a match with Barça

Impact: Balde provides depth, speed and overflow on the left wing. His absence, although important, has been partially covered by Gerard Martín, who has performed correctly in defense and attack.
Consequences: The team loses offensive capacity and surprise on that side, although defensive solidity is maintained. According to recent analysis, Balde's absence is significant but, of the current absences, it is the one that has the least impact thanks to the performance of his substitute.

Marc Casadó (Defensive midfielder)

Impact: Casadó, usual in the rotation of the midfield, suffered a partial rupture of the ligament and will be out for two months, probably missing the rest of the season.
Consequences: His absence reduces refreshment options in the defensive pivot, especially when Flick needs to rotate or close matches. The squad has alternatives, but Casadó's absence limits depth in a key area, especially given the accumulation of minutes and the risk of sanctions or injuries to other midfielders.

Marc Bernal (Midfielder, central midfielder)

Impact: Bernal, one of the revelations of the youth academy, suffered a serious knee injury (rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament) and says goodbye to the season.
Consequences: His absence deprives the team of a physical and tactical profile that had provided balance and energy in the center of the field. Bernal was a valuable alternative for matches of high physical demand and his absence forces Flick to rely more on experienced players or to advance the progression of other young players.

In summary, the absences of Lewandowski, Balde, Casadó and Bernal force Flick to rethink his strategy for the match against Real Madrid. Defensive solidity, creativity in midfield and effectiveness in front of goal are affected, but the team trusts in the depth of its squad to overcome this challenge.

Possible lineup of Inter Milan against FC Barcelona

Starting XI: Sommer; Darmian, Bisseck, De Vrij, Bastoni, Carlos Augusto; Zielinski, Barella, Çalhanoglu; Lautaro Martínez and Thuram.
Bench: Martínez (GK), Di Gennaro (GK), Dumfries, Acerbi, Dimarco, Asllani, Mkhitaryan, Fratesi, Buchanan, Zalewski, Arnautovic.
Injured: Valentín Carboni and Benjamin Pavard.
Sanctioned: None.

Inter Milan arrives in crisis at the final stretch of the season. Simone Inzaghi's team was eliminated from the Italian Cup by AC Milan after a resounding 0-3 in the semi-finals and comes from suffering two consecutive defeats in Serie A against Bologna (1-09 and Roma (0-1) that have removed them from the lead. In addition, they will not be able to count, due to injury, on Benjamin Pavard, due to an ankle sprain suffered on Sunday against Roma.

Marcus Thuram is also doubtful, who missed the last three matches due to discomfort in the adductors. In principle, Inzaghi will once again trust Darmian as a right winger, while his usual line of three central defenders will be formed by Bisseck, De Vrij and Bastoni. Carlos Augusto, starter in the two quarter-final matches against Bayern, would be the left wing-back.

In the center of the field, Zielinski, Barella and Çalhanoglu will have the difficult mission of trying to stop the 'culé' midfield. For his part, in attack, Lautaro Martínez will be the main threat to the 'Azulgrana' defense, probably accompanied by Thuram. Between the two they add 38 goals this season, 11 of them in the Champions League.