FC Barcelona will play its first Champions League semfinal since 2019 versus Inter Milan on … More
AFP via Getty ImagesFC Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick will field the exact same side that beat Real Madrid 3-2 in the Copa del Rey final at the weekend, when his men host Inter Milan for a Champions League semifinal first leg in Montjuic on Wednesday evening.
The Catalans looked to be letting the trophy they have won the most in Spain slip away when late second half goals from Kylian Mbappe and Aurelien Tchouameni turned the tied and gave Madrid a 2-1 lead in Seville.
Approaching the final whistle, however, Ferran Torres equalized thanks to an inch-perfect Lamine Yamal ball over the top of the Madrid back line.
Then in extra time, Jules Kounde cut out a Luka Modric pass that Brahim Diaz waited too long for on the edge of the box. With faith in himself, the Frenchman took just one touch to set himself up and then fired past Thibaut Courtois to extend Barca’s dream of lifting a quadruple this season.
Relative to all this is the fact that Flick will field the same XI against Inter which looked to have ran out of gas at one stage of the Clasico.
In the end, however, it was the German’s substitutes in the likes of Gavi, Fermin Lopez and Ronald Araujo – during the latter stages of the Copa final – that proved a catalyst and could end up being important on the continent.
The same approach from FC Barcelona
Flick’s decision means that Wojciech Szczesny starts in goal. With Alejandro Balde still out, Gerard Martin is the left back while the hero of the hour Kounde can be found on the other flank.
In central defense, a player that proved he is worth his weight in goal against Madrid, teenager Pau Cubarsi, partners an equally impressive Inigo Martinez that will try to help him keep Lautaro Martinez quiet.
Further up in midfield is a duo of Pedri and Frenkie de Jong, with Olmo keeping his place as the CAM despite looking out of sorts in Seville while clearly disappointed with his display when hooked by Flick.
Because Robert Lewandowski remains unfit, Ferran carries on as the lone striker with Lamine Yamal and Raphinha to his right and left respectively.
What FC Barcelona Coach Flick said
“The players are fine. We’re focused. Beating Madrid in the Copa del Rey final was very emotional, but we have the chance to reach the Champions League final, the most important game on the calendar, [which]
would be a dream. Today’s session was good, I saw everyone focused. We have reviewed the opponent, and what to improve compared to the cup match.”
FC Barcelona Vs. Inter Milan Champions League Semifinal First Leg First XI: Szczesny; Martin, Cubarsi, Inigo, Kounde; Pedri, De Jong; Raphinha, Lamine; Ferran
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