One night for history, a thirteen -year -old dream. Inter return to San Siro for the Champions League return semifinal against Barcelona, with the echo of the historic match of 2010 in the eyes and in the heart the hope of writing a new European chapter, with the big ears cup that has been missing since 2010 with José Mourinho on the bench.
After the draw of the first leg at Montjuic, the Nerazzurri are played in front of their audience: ninety minutes to return to the final two years after the Ko with the Manchester Citty, with the aim of returning to the last act also to avenge the defeat against Pep Guardiola in Istanbul. Barcelona will still be in front, as in 2010, but Inter this time will play the return to San Siro.
And the charge of the Meazza can be decisive, because after 3-3 in Catalonia it will be necessary to win, unless you also look at extra and any penalties. One more fundamental card to beat the Blaugrana responds to the name of Lautaro Martinez, who goes to a sensational recovery: less than a week from the muscle injury to the thigh suffered right in the first leg, the Inter striker was tried by Simone Inzaghi in the formation of the owner on the eve.
The final decision will be made tomorrow, also talking to the same player.
Ansa agency Champions League, Inzaghi: ‘Lautaro? We will decide with the staff and the player – football – Ansa.it ‘We want to continue a great path. We were 16 in the ranking, now first: we are two races from the trophy (ANSA) “We will decide together with the medical staff and together with the footballers themselves, because they will be the ones who will have to tell me their sensations”, the words of the Nerazzurri technician at the press conference, also referring to Benjamin Pavard who, however, seems to go to the bench for the ankle distortion with Yann Bisseck on pole for a starting shirt. “Lautaro better from the beginning or in the running? He will also depend on his sensations. A player who cannot start from the beginning is difficult for us to help us in the last 25 minutes,” added Inzaghi, almost confirming the will to make him start from the 1st. The Inter coach is also played a piece of history, considering that in the Nerazzurri one only Helenio Herrera had managed to hit two finals of the Champions/Champions League cup. “We all know the importance of the race, it must be done together: with the fans and with the group. Barcelona is very strong, we have seen many videos and it will take a great Inter. Only Herrera made two finals? Is exciting,” continued Inzaghi. “In the first leg we did a great match, but we could also do better by playing the ball even if they are good in the incompensions. Tomorrow it will be a final and we play it in front of our fans, there will be a winner also passing from extra time and penalties”. Also part also from that ko with the City in the final in 2023.
“The defeat of Istanbul was a difficult night to digest, a great game had been played but you live in this one. That race is part of the journey made in these four years, but we want to continue. We are two games from a possible trophy, we led Inter to be first in the ranking and we started 17th: we want to procure this great path”. In front, however, there is a Barcelona that already in the first leg has impressive in the offensive phase, less in the defensive phase. Starting with Lamine Yamal, special observed of the Nerazzurri. “We must try not to make him ball but it is impossible. It will obviously be doubled, it will be a special observations,” explained Inzaghi, who could also have to deal with the return of Lewandowski, convened but towards the bench. “We know him well, he is among the 3-4 strongest attackers in the world. But Barcelona is strong with or without Lewandowski”.
Probable formations
Inter (3-5-2): 1 Sommer; 31 bisseck, 15 immature, 95 sticks; 2 Dumfries, 23 Barella, 20 Calhanoglu, 22 Mkhigharyan, 32 Dimarco; 9 Thuram, 10 Lautaro (13 Martinez, 6 De Vrij, 7 Zielinski, 8 Arnautovic, 16 Frattesi, 21 Asllani, 30 Carlos Augusto, 36 Darmian, 59 Zaleski, 99 Taremi). All. S. Inzaghi.
Barcelona (4-2-3-1): 25 Szczesny; 24 Eric Garcia, 4 Araujo, 2 Cubersi, 5 Inigo Martinez; 8 Pedri, 21 de Jong; 22 Raphinha, 20 Olmo, 19 Lamine Yamal; 11 Torres (13 Pena, 6 Gavi, 9 Lewandowski, 10 Fati, 15 Christensen, 16 F. Lopez, 18 P. Victor, 32 Fort, 35 Martin). All.: Flick.
Referee: Szymon Marciniak (Poland).
Reserved reproduction © Copyright Ansa
Source: Ansa
Brayden White, a veteran sports writer at Global Happening, brings his wealth of knowledge and expertise to the sports section. With over a decade of experience, he is committed to delivering high-quality coverage of the latest games and events.
