Inzaghi Backs Inter Milan to Overcome Hansi Flick’s Barcelona in Champions League Semifinal Showdown

Simone Inzaghi, the resolute head coach of Inter Milan, has expressed unwavering confidence in his team’s ability to progress past Hansi Flick’s formidable Barcelona side in the 2025 UEFA Champions League semifinal. Following a thrilling 3-3 draw in the first leg at the Camp Nou on April 29, Inzaghi rallied his squad to channel their European pedigree and home advantage at the San Siro for the decisive second leg on May 6, with a place in the final against either Paris Saint-Germain or Arsenal on May 31 at stake.

The first leg showcased both teams’ attacking prowess and vulnerabilities, with Inter Milan demonstrating their trademark resilience. Goals from Marcus Thuram, Hakan Çalhanoğlu, and Denzel Dumfries—capitalizing on set-piece opportunities—ensured Inter fought back twice to secure a draw against a Barcelona side that Inzaghi described as “probably the best team in the world right now.” Despite the result, Inter’s recent form has been shaky, with three consecutive losses across all competitions, including a Coppa Italia exit to Roma and a Serie A defeat to Atalanta that saw them slip to second place behind Napoli. Yet, Inzaghi remains defiant, urging his players to put this “difficult week” behind them and focus on their European ambitions.

Speaking to reporters after the first leg, Inzaghi emphasized Inter’s ability to compete with Europe’s elite. “We showed we can go toe-to-toe with Barcelona,” he said. “They know now they’re facing a great Inter team that is very difficult to beat. We’ll have no fear in the second leg.” His confidence stems from Inter’s impressive Champions League campaign, which saw them top Group E with five wins and a draw, defeating Porto 3-1 in the round of 16 and Bayern Munich 2-0 in the quarterfinals. This run echoes their 2023 final appearance, where they narrowly lost to Manchester City, and Inzaghi believes his squad’s experience will be pivotal.

Inter’s tactical discipline was evident in the first leg, where they exploited Barcelona’s susceptibility to set pieces. Çalhanoğlu’s pinpoint free-kick delivery and Dumfries’ towering header exposed gaps in Flick’s high-pressing system, which has propelled Barcelona to the top of La Liga and made them favorites for the Champions League title. However, Inzaghi acknowledged the challenge posed by Barcelona’s fluid attacking trio, led by Robert Lewandowski, who scored twice in the first leg, alongside contributions from Raphinha and Lamine Yamal. “They’re a complete team with incredible quality,” Inzaghi admitted, “but we’ve shown we can hurt them.”

The second leg at the San Siro promises to be a cauldron of intensity, with Inter banking on their passionate home support to tilt the tie in their favor. The Nerazzurri have been nearly impregnable at home in Europe this season, conceding just once in four matches. However, concerns linger over injuries, particularly to star striker Lautaro Martínez, who limped off in the first leg with a suspected thigh issue. Inzaghi remained tight-lipped on Martínez’s availability but expressed faith in his squad’s depth, with Thuram and Mehdi Taremi likely to shoulder the attacking burden if needed. “We’ve faced adversity before, and we’ll be ready,” he insisted.

Inzaghi’s optimism is also fueled by Inter’s historical edge over Barcelona in knockout ties, notably their 2010 semifinal triumph en route to the Champions League title under José Mourinho. While Flick’s Barcelona represents a modern, high-octane challenge, Inzaghi believes his team’s blend of grit, tactical nous, and set-piece prowess can unsettle the Catalans. “We know what’s at stake,” he said. “The San Siro will be our 12th man, and we’ll give everything to reach the final.”

As the football world awaits the second leg, Inzaghi’s bold words have set the stage for a seismic clash. Inter Milan, under his stewardship, are determined to prove they can topple Barcelona’s juggernaut and take a step closer to European glory. With the aggregate score level and away goals no longer a tiebreaker, the outcome hinges on which side can seize the moment in Milan. For Inzaghi and his players, it’s an opportunity to etch their names into Inter’s storied history.