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

Published New:5/05/2025 - 20:09h

Updated New:6/05/2025 - 19:20h

Inter vs Barça: Probable lineup and tactical surprises from Hansi Flick in the Champions 'semis'

Inter Milan and FC Barcelona face each other this Tuesday in the return leg of the UEFA Champions League 2024-25 semi-finals. The Azulgrana team arrives with the obligation to win in Italy after the draw in the first leg in Montjuïc (3-3), but with a very important addition in attack thanks to the return to the squad of Robert Lewandowski.

The Polish player received medical clearance on Monday and will be available, although he is likely to be a substitute. On the contrary, Alejandro Balde and Jules Koundé will once again be out, the latter injured in the first match against the 'nerazzuros'. Inter, on the other hand, arrives with the advantage of being at home, but without their top scorer and captain at one hundred percent. Lautaro Martínez was also injured in the first leg and will probably have to stay on the bench.

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

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

Probable Barça starting XI:

(#25, GK) Szczesny
(#24) Eric García
(#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 bench (substitute players):

(#13, GK) Iñaki Peña
(#26, GK). Astralaga
(#04) Ronald Araujo
(#06) Gavi
(#09) Robert Lewandowski
(#10) Ansu Fati
(#15) Andreas Christensen
(#16) Fermín López
(#18) Pau Víctor
(#32) Héctor Fort
(#44) Landry Farré
(#45) Noah Darvich

Barça injured players:

(#03) Alejandro Balde
(#14) Pablo Torre
(#17) Marc Casadó
(#23) Jules Koundé
(#28) Marc Bernal

Barça sanctioned players:

None (there are no sanctioned players)

In principle, Flick plans to keep his lineup from the first leg, with Eric García replacing the injured Jules Koundé.

Goalkeeper and defense:

Szczesny will be in goal, while Eric García and Gerard Martín will be the full-backs due to the absence of Koundé and Balde. 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:

Frenkie de Jong will once again be the pivot. The Dutchman will once again be Pedri's partner in midfield, while Dani Olmo will once again be the team's attacking midfielder. Fermín López, who scored a goal against Valladolid on Saturday, could also be in the starting eleven on Wednesday.

Forwards:

In attack, Raphinha and Ferran Torres complete the Azulgrana attack alongside Lamine Yamal. The 'Shark' remains the team's '9', although Robert Lewandowski will be available.

Sensitive Casualties: Who are the injured Barça players against Inter Milan?

The big news in the squad list for the first Champions League semi-final, without a doubt, is the return of Robert Lewandowski, who has been out for the last four matches (2 in La Liga, 1 in the Champions League and the Copa del Rey final) due to a muscular injury.

In principle, it was expected that the '9' would be out for around three weeks, but he finally received medical clearance in time to travel with the team to Milan. At the moment, the Polish player has 11 goals in 12 Champions League matches.

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

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

Jules Koundé (starting right-back)

Jules Koundé left injured in the Barça-Inter (3-3)

Impact: after playing 86 consecutive matches with the club during 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 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 side.
Consequences: in principle, Barça has not determined the length of Jules' absence, who suffers a distal injury to the biceps femoris of his left thigh. What is certain is that he will miss the return leg against Inter and the Clásico against Madrid on the next matchday of La Liga. 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 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 replacement.

Pablo Torre (Attacking midfielder)

Impact: The player from Cantabria was called to be a starter on Saturday against Valladolid, but suffered some discomfort in his left knee and, finally, was dropped from 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 has barely accumulated 421 minutes of action spread over 14 matches. The '14' has not been a starter 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 matches. The squad has alternatives, but Casadó's absence limits the 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 rupture) 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 with high physical demands and his absence forces Flick to rely more on experienced players or to advance the progression of other youngsters.

In summary, the absences of Koundé, Balde, Casadó, Pablo Torre and Bernal force Flick to rethink his strategy for the match against Inter. Defensive solidity, and creativity in midfield are affected, but the team is confident in the depth of its squad to overcome this challenge.

Possible lineup of Inter Milan against FC Barcelona

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

Inter Milan arrives with renewed spirits after the narrow victory against Hellas Verona (1-0). Simone Inzaghi's side had gone five consecutive matches without winning, a streak that cost them their place in the Coppa Italia and losing the lead in Serie A. However, they know that with a win at home they will be able to advance to their second Champions League final in three years.

For the return leg against Barça, Lautaro Martínez is doubtful, as he left injured at half-time in Montjuïc. In principle, Inzaghi will once again trust Dumfries as a right wing-back, while his usual line of three central defenders will be made up of Bisseck, Acerbi and Bastoni. Carlos Augusto, a starter in the two quarter-final matches against Bayern, could be the left wing-back instead of Dimarco.

In the center of the field, Mkhitaryan, Barella and Çalhanoglu will be in charge of the difficult mission of trying to stop the Culé midfield. For their part, in attack, Marcus Thuram will be the main threat to the Azulgrana defense, probably accompanied by Mehdi Taremi.