JAKARTA - Fifteen years since their last meeting in the semifinals of the Champions League, Barcelona and Inter Milan will again clash in the last four. The Stadio Estadi Ol Marimpic Lluos Companys in Montjuic became the venue for the first leg on Wednesday 30 April.
In 2010, Inter managed to get rid of Barcelona on their way to the title, but now the Blaugrana are determined to retaliate and step into the final against the winner between Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain.
Barcelona appeared convincing on their way to the semifinals and are now eyeing their first Champions League final since winning the competition in 2015.
Under German coach Hansi Flick, Barca appeared aggressive with an average of 3.1 goals per game in Europe this season. After finishing second in the league phase behind Liverpool, they eliminated Benfica in the last 16 and Borussia Dortmund in the quarter-finals.
A landslide 4-0 win over Dortmund at home was enough to pass them despite losing 3-1 in the second leg. In six Champions League home games this season, Barca are unbeaten by five wins and one draw, scoring a total of 21 goals.
Last weekend, Barcelona also won the Copa del Rey trophy after overthrowing Real Madrid 3-2 through Jules Kounde's goal in extra time, as well as recording their 32nd domestic title.
Barca are now at the top of La Liga with a four-point difference from Madrid and have lost only once in the last 28 matches in all competitions.
However, Inter are also not just opponents. Simone Inzaghi's team appeared solid and unbeaten in the last 15 home games in the Champions League.
Although Barcelona took the lead in a total of 12 previous meetings (6 wins), Inter had fond memories of getting rid of them in the 2010 semifinals and then became European champions.
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Inter rival Barcelona's points in the league phase this season (19 points), beat Feyenoord in the last 16, then knocked out Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals. Davide Frattesi's decisive goal in Germany was key before they drew 2-2 at the San Siro.
Inzaghi will lead his 50th match in the Champions League an achievement that other Italian coaches have never achieved with a record of 26 wins from 49 matches before.
But Inter's latest performance is a bit worrying. They have lost in the last three games in all competitions, including being knocked out of the Coppa Italia by AC Milan and a 1-0 loss to AS Roma in Serie A which left them three points behind Napoli.
Barcelona still cannot play Robert Lewandowski who has a hamstring injury and is expected to be absent until the second leg. On the other hand, Alejandro Balde is doubtful of appearing, and if not fit, Gerard Martin will replace him.
Lead goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen has returned to the squad, but Wojciech Szczesny is expected to keep the net. Lamine Yamal and Raphinha's wing duets pose a serious threat to both of them being involved in five goals and 16 chances in the Champions League this season.
Inter will be strengthened again by Lautaro Martinez, who has scored in the last five Champions League games. Marcus Thuram is likely to return after a three-match absence from a thigh injury, while Benjamin Pavard is doubtful of appearing due to an ankle injury.
Bastoni and Mkhitaryan are ready to return to the starting XI after serving their sentences in Serie A.
Barcelona (4-2-3-1):Szczesny; Kounde, Cubarsi, Martinez, Martin; De Jong, Pedri; Yamal, Olmo, Raphinha; Torres
Inter Milan (3-5-2):Sommer; Bisseck, Acerbi, Bastoni; Dumfries, Barella, Calhanoglu, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Martinez, Thuram
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