OFFICIAL: The starting lineups for Simone Inzaghi's Inter Milan and Hansi Flick's FC Barcelona for the second leg of the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 semi-finals are now confirmed. Both teams are going all out in search of qualification for the final in Munich on May 31.

FC Barcelona's starting lineup against Inter Milan

Hansi Flick is making one change from the first leg at Montjuïc. Eric García will take the place of the injured Jules Koundé at right-back, while Gerard Martín remains in the lineup in place of the injured Balde. In the center of defense, Pau Cubarsí will once again partner Iñigo Martínez.

Similarly, Frenkie de Jong will occupy the pivot position. Pedri and Dani Olmo complete the midfield, while Lamine Yamal, Raphinha, and Ferran Torres form the attacking trident.

Barça's starting XI (OFFICIAL):

  • Tactical note: Eric García is the right-back. Cubarsí and Iñigo form as center-backs, and Gerard Martín is the left-back. Raphinha is the left winger, and Ferran is the center forward, with Lamine on the right. Although many rotations are expected in attack, thanks to the mobility of Dani Olmo.
  1. (#25, P) Szczesny
  2. (#24) Eric García
  3. (#02) Pau Cubarsí
  4. (#05) Iñigo Martínez
  5. (#35) Gerard Martín
  6. (#21) Frenkie de Jong
  7. (#08) Pedri
  8. (#20) Dani Olmo
  9. (#19) Lamine Yamal
  10. (#11) Raphinha
  11. (#07) Ferran Torres

Barça's bench (substitute players):

  1. (#13, P) Iñaki Peña
  2. (#26, P). Astralaga
  3. (#04) Ronald Araujo
  4. (#06) Gavi
  5. (#09) Robert Lewandowski
  6. (#10) Ansu Fati
  7. (#15) Andreas Christensen
  8. (#16) Fermín López
  9. (#18) Pau Víctor
  10. (#32) Héctor Fort
  11. (#44) Landry Farré
  12. (#45) Noah Darvich

Barça's injured players:

  1. (#03) Alejandro Balde
  2. (#14) Pablo Torre
  3. (#17) Marc Casadó
  4. (#23) Jules Koundé
  5. (#28) Marc Bernal

Barça's sanctioned players:

  1. None (no sanctioned players)

How do Hansi Flick's changes affect Barcelona's scheme?

Hansi Flick is once again tweaking his defensive line due to injuries. We analyze them:

Barça puts out its best available XI, looking to seal the ticket to the Champions League final. Cubarsí and Iñigo will once again lead the defense, with Eric García and Gerard Martín on the flanks. Frenkie and Pedri direct the midfield, while Dani Olmo will once again be the attacking midfielder, behind the trident formed by Lamine, Raphinha, and Ferran.

Goalkeeper and defense:

  • A defense with tweaks: Eric García returns as right-back due to Jules Koundé's absence. Pau Cubarsí will partner Iñigo Martínez in the center of defense. Gerard Martín also remains in the eleven.

Midfield:

  • Frenkie de Jong returns, and Gavi will be on the bench. Flick also keeps Dani Olmo in the attacking midfield. The Terrassa native has been fundamental in the last two league games, scoring against Celta and Mallorca.

Attack:

  • In the offensive trident, Ferran Torres will start, in place of Lewandowski, alongside Lamine Yamal and Raphinha. The Pole returned to the squad, but will be a substitute and will wait to have minutes in the second half.
  • The '7' remains as the area reference and seeks to consolidate himself as the team's top scorer in the absence of 'Lewy'. So far, he has 3 goals in 10 Champions League matches. The 'Shark' already reaches 19 goals in the season.

  • Raphinha, again, will be the left winger, with Lamine on the right and Ferran as '9'. In the center of the field, Pedri and Olmo will be the creative footballers of the team, giving mobility and clarity to the Azulgrana game.

Inter Milan's starting lineup against FC Barcelona

  • Inter's starting XI: Sommer; Bisseck, Acerbi, Bastoni; Dumfries, Barella, Çalhanoglu, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Lautaro and Thuram.

  • Inter's bench: Martínez (P), Di Gennaro (P), Darmian, De Vrij, Carlos Augusto, Asllani, Zielinski, Fratesi, Buchanan, Zalewski, Taremi and Arnautovic.

For his part, Simone Inzaghi maintains his starting lineup from the first leg. Benjamin Pavard is missing due to an ankle injury suffered last week against Roma (0-1). Also notable is the starting lineup of Dimarco, who suffered a lot in the one-on-one with Lamine Yamal in the first leg of the semi-finals.

Lautaro Martínez, now recovered from his muscle ailments, will also be in the starting lineup, while Mkhitaryan also enters the XI as a central midfielder in place of Zielinski. Dumfries, meanwhile, will be the right-back. Bisseck, Acerbi, and Bastoni will be the center-backs, with Barella and Çalhanoglu completing the midfield. Up front, Marcus Thuram and Mehdi Taremi will be the forwards.

Sensitive Absences: Who are the injured Barça players against Inter?

The injuries of Jules Koundé, Alejandro Balde, Marc Casadó, Marc Bernal, and Pablo Torre pose a significant challenge for FC Barcelona in this decisive stretch of the season. Below, we detail the individual impact of each absence on Hansi Flick's team.

Jules Koundé (starting right-back)

Jules Koundé, during a Champions League match with Barça
  • Impact: after playing 86 consecutive matches with the club over the last 12 months, Koundé finally rested on matchday 33 of La Liga against Mallorca. The Frenchman was the MVP of the Copa final, scoring the winning goal, but he was injured in the first half against Inter Milan last Wednesday. The '23' has 4 goals and 8 assists in 53 matches with Flick's team.
  • Consequences: in principle, Barça has not determined the time of absence of Jules, who suffers a distal injury to the biceps femoris of his left thigh. What is certain is that he will miss the rematch against Inter and the Clásico against Madrid in the next league match. Flick only has Héctor Fort as a substitute right-back and, in the Champions League, he opted for Eric García as an emergency solution. Ronald Araujo could also be a 'patch' to deal with his absence.

Alejandro Balde (Starting left-back)

Alejandro Balde, in a Champions League match with Barça

  • Impact: Balde provides depth, speed, and attacking prowess on the left flank. 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 replacement.

Pablo Torre (Attacking midfielder)

  • Impact: The Cantabrian was called to be a starter on Saturday against Valladolid, but suffered some discomfort in his left knee and, finally, fell out of the squad. Pablo can be an option as an attacking midfielder, alternating position with Fermín López to give more depth to the Azulgrana attack.
  • Consequences: His absence represents a hard emotional blow for a footballer who barely accumulates 421 minutes of action spread over 14 matches. The '14' has not started in La Liga since matchday 15 and, in the second half of the season, he only played 45' against Osasuna and 3' against Girona.

Marc Casadó (Defensive midfielder)

  • Impact: Casadó, a regular in the midfield rotation, suffered a partial ligament tear 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 out 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 (anterior cruciate ligament tear) 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 Koundé, Balde, Casadó, Bernal, and Pablo Torre force Flick to rethink his strategy for the match against Inter Milan. Defensive solidity and creativity and depth in midfield and on the flanks are affected, but the team is confident in the depth of its squad to overcome this challenge.

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