Barcelona vs Inter Milan combined XI | UEFA Champions League 2024-25 semi-final first-leg

The first leg will be played at Barca’s home ground.

FC Barcelona will host Inter Milan in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League semi-final at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys. It is going to be a cracker of a contest. The Catalan club have been the most attacking team in Europe. On the other hand, Inter Milan have displayed their defensive stability, but their recent form is something to worry about.

Under Hansi Flick, Barcelona are in the running to win the treble this season. They beat Borussia Dortmund to qualify for the semi-final. On the other hand, Inter beat Bayern Munich to qualify for the semi-final.

In this article, we will take a look at the combined playing XI for the game, taking into account the form and also availability. We adopt a 4-3-3 formation for the combined playing XI.

Formation: 4-3-3

GK: Wojciech Szczęsny (Barcelona)

Wojciech Szczęsny has been nothing short of sensational for Barcelona since the time he started playing for the club. After the season-ending injury to their captain, Marc-André ter Stegen, Szczęsny came back from retirement and was signed by the club. He has been a point of confidence in goal with his shot-stopping ability and distribution of the ball.

The Polish goalkeeper has kept two clean sheets and conceded 10 goals in the six matches that he has been part of in the Champions League.

RB: Jules Kounde (Barcelona)

Jules Kounde has been a regular for Barcelona in that right-back position. He has provided the defensive cover with the overlapping runs. He has assisted three goals in 12 matches in the UEFA Champions League so far this season.

CB: Alessandro Bastoni (Inter Milan)

Alessandro Bastoni has been a rock in the defence and commanded his presence in the backline. He has been a threat in set pieces. The Inter Milan centre-back will also build play from the back with his ball-playing ability.

He is sure to be one of the most important players in this game.

CB: Pau Cubarsi (Barcelona)

The 18-year-old, Pau Cubarsi, has taken the world by storm with his performances at the back. He is certainly the best young centre-back in the world currently. He has absolutely no flaws in his game.

Cubarsi impacts Barcelona’s build-up with his good reading and progressive passes. He is also a rock at the back.

LB: Federico Dimarco (Inter Milan)

Federico Dimarco has been a constant presence at left-back with his ability to provide defensive cover. He also joins the attack with his overlapping runs. His attacking output, crossing, and set-piece delivery make him an important part of this game.

CM: Pedri (Barcelona)

Pedri has been the best young midfielder in the world in the current season. He is definitely a contender for the Ballon d’Or. He has provided two assists in the 12 matches in the Champions League.

He is the main heartbeat of Barcelona in the midfield. His creativity and line-breaking passes will be the threat in this game.

CDM: Hakan Çalhanoğlu (Inter Milan)

Çalhanoğlu’s vision, set-piece prowess, and ability to control the tempo of the game are crucial. He scored in Inter’s 4-0 UCL win over Red Star Belgrade and remains a counter-attacking threat. The midfielder has scored three goals and provided one assist in nine Champions League matches this season.

CM: Nicolò Barella (Inter Milan)

Barella’s energy, tackling, and forward runs will play a very important part in this game. He has provided two assists in the 10 Champions League matches so far this season.

RW: Lamine Yamal (Barcelona)

The 17-year-old prodigy has been fast, terrorising defences with his dribbling and goal-scoring. He is definitely the best young player in the world, a threat on the flanks. He is top three in the list of probable Ballon d’Or contenders this season.

Yamal has scored four goals and provided four assists in 11 matches in the Champions League.

CF: Lautaro Martínez (Inter Milan)

Lautaro Martínez’s clinical finishing and work rate make him the best fit to lead the line. His ability to drop deep and link play are one of the vital aspects of the game. Martinez’s presence gives him the advantage over Ferran Torres.

He has scored eight goals and provided one assist in 11 UCL matches this season.

LW: Raphinha (Barcelona)

Raphinha is probably going to be the Ballon d’Or winner if Barcelona go on to win the Champions League. He has been a lethal finisher with his runs in behind the defence line. He has scored important goals in crucial stages of the game.

The Brazilian has scored 12 goals and provided seven assists in 12 Champions League matches so far.

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