Inter Milan is on the verge of the second leg of the UEFA Champions League semifinal against Barcelona, and fans are heading to San Siro with unprecedented hope and motivation.

The first leg at Montjuïc, which ended in a 3-3 draw, showed that Inter is not only alive but full of energy and hope to reach the final. For the Nerazzurri, this is not just a match but an opportunity to complete a masterpiece—a final that is no longer a dream but an achievable goal. This text explores five key reasons for Inter’s optimism in the return leg and their potential advancement to the Munich final.

Weaknesses of Flick and Barcelona

Barcelona’s attack, with the brilliance of Lamine Yamal, is truly terrifying. But their defense, under Hans-Dieter Flick, is full of visible flaws that were clearly exposed in the first leg. Unlike Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona, which seemed invincible with ball control and solid defense, the current Barça is like a rock band: passionate but uncontrolled.

Their defensive line, with a very high offside strategy, is highly vulnerable to quick attacks, counter-attacks, and opponent direction changes. Inter, with their flexible 3-5-2 system, can execute all three types of attacks: compact defense, intense pressing, and quick counters. In the first leg, Inter exploited these weaknesses repeatedly, and with six extra days of training, this exploitation is expected to be more precise. Unlike Barça, which follows only one style of play, Inter is like a chameleon, capable of changing tactics and executing multiple types of play in a single match.

The Magic of San Siro

Montjuïc, Barcelona’s temporary home, despite its beauty and greenery, was not designed for big Champions League nights. But San Siro, Inter’s football temple, tells a different story. This stadium, which turns into a cauldron of passion, is ready to play a decisive role once again. Even before the first leg, when Inter was at the peak of despair after three consecutive defeats, 60,000 fans queued to buy tickets for this match, even at high prices. This unconditional support promises a record-breaking ticket revenue in Italian football history.

Simone Inzaghi, Inter’s coach, invited fans from Catalonia to attend passionately and emphasized the importance of the 75,000-strong support at San Siro. This stadium has glorious memories of historic nights: from the shouts after Diego Milito’s third goal in the 2010 semifinal against Barça to the legendary 1965 comeback against Liverpool, where Inter recovered from a 2-0 defeat with goals from Corso, Peiró, and Facchetti. In 1994, San Siro also witnessed Inter’s UEFA Cup victory with Nicola Berti’s goal. Fans hope that the Curva Nord, which has recently been on strike due to disputes, will resume its support on this historic night. Lack of full support for 90 minutes would be the biggest possible self-harm.

Two Deadly Stars

Marcus Thuram and especially Denzel Dumfries, in the first leg, crushed Barcelona’s defense like two tornadoes. Both players, after muscle injuries, came to Montjuïc with relative readiness, but their performance exceeded expectations. Dumfries, who had only one preparation match against Roma, acted like a bulldozer on the right, completely taking young Barça defender Gerard Martín out of the game. Thuram, with only one group training session, tormented Barça’s defenders with his physicality and playmaking. His coordination with Lautaro Martínez in the first half was reminiscent of the duo’s peak days, but Lautaro’s injury left this harmony unfinished. In the return leg, the absence of Inter’s captain is likely, and Thuram will have to coordinate with another striker, possibly Mehdi Taremi. Dumfries may also face a more balanced competition with the return of Barça’s main defender Alejandro Balde, but his physicality and courage will still be key to Inter’s success. These two players, with six extra days of training, are ready to deliver a more decisive blow to Flick’s fragile defense.

Key Factors

Inzaghi has used set-pieces as a deadly weapon effectively, and the first leg proved it. Inter, with a 78% superiority in aerial duels (18 out of 23) and two goals from corners, showed that Barça’s defenders are weak in one-on-one battles. Set-pieces, especially corners, executed precisely by Federico Dimarco and Hakan Çalhanoğlu, can be decisive. Çalhanoğlu, who was below expectations in the first leg, has a chance to shine at San Siro. Having accepted a one-match suspension in Serie A due to off-field issues, he can play a decisive role with long-range shots or key passes in this critical phase. His goal against Barça in the group stage two seasons ago, which was the start of Inzaghi’s European Inter, is an example of his abilities.

Inter’s European Spirit

Inter’s path to this semifinal is very different from the previous two seasons. The team performed dominantly in the new Champions League group stage and reached the knockout phase as one of the four group leaders. In the quarterfinals, they eliminated Bayern Munich and now stand against Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal. These achievements show Inter’s solid position among Europe’s elite, a position owed to Inzaghi’s insight. Inter this season, with a draw against Manchester City, a win over Arsenal, and tough battles in Munich and Catalonia, has displayed its championship spirit. Their only defeat against Bayer Leverkusen in extra time is a small stain on a brilliant record. The regret of the 2023 Istanbul final is still alive in the players’ hearts, and this is an extra motivation to win the trophy in Munich. A generation of Inter players, from Stefano Sensi to Henrikh Mkhitaryan, is at their peak and determined not to miss this opportunity.

Inter, relying on Barça’s defensive weaknesses, the magic of San Siro, the power of Thuram and Dumfries, deadly set-pieces, and a European spirit, is heading into the return leg. Inzaghi, who is among Europe’s top coaches, has built a team that not only dreams but stands worthy on the verge of the final. If the Curva Nord provides full support and Lautaro, even in limited minutes, returns to the field, Inter can make history at San Siro and then in Munich.