Barcelona – Inter: Three key battles to watch in the Champions League semi-finals

Barcelona hosts Inter in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final, which is expected to take place at the "Olimpic Lluis Companys", starting at 21:00 PM.

As Barcelona prepares to host Inter in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final tonight (Wednesday) night, which is expected to be as interesting a match as Tuesday night, where Paris Saint-Germain won 0-1 against Arsenal.

Italian media have given a look at some of the key battles that could influence the outcome between the two European giants.

Read too Barcelona – Inter: Statistics, analysis, possible formations and Champions League semi-final prediction

Barcelona vs. Inter: Three key battles to watch

Lamine Yamal vs. Alessandro Bastoni

Barcelona boasts one of the most dangerous attacks on the planet with its formation consisting of Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha and Lamine Yamal.

The latter, still only 17 years old, is having an excellent season in the 2024/25 season, with four goals and four assists from 11 appearances in the Champions League, in addition to his six goals and 14 assists in La Liga.

Assuming he will play in his natural position on the right wing of Barcelona's attack, he will play against Alessandro Bastoni on the left of Inter's defensive three.

The 26-year-old has grown into one of Europe's best defenders and currently plays in a defensive line that has conceded just five goals in 12 Champions League matches so far this season.

Pedri vs. Nicolo Barella

The midfield battle will be crucial in the fight for control of the match on Wednesday night. Frenkie De Jong and Pedri are expected to start in a double position for Barcelona, ​​while Inter are not expected to change from their preferred midfield trio of Nicolo Barella, Hakan Calhanoglu and Henrikh Mkhitaryan.

Within that battle will be an interesting showdown between Barella and Pedre, both of whom are considered among the best midfielders in Europe currently.

Barella boasts a valuable trait, as he is often just as effective off the ball as he is with the ball, and will be able to cause Barcelona plenty of problems with his tireless pressing and counter-attacking ability if he gives it his all.

Pau Cubarsi/Ronald Araujo vs. Lautaro Martinez/Marcus Thuram

While Barcelona has one of the strongest attacking departments in the world, Inter is not without threats in attack.

Fortunately for the Nerazzurri, Marcus Thuram is on his way back into the starting lineup after a three-match absence, which has coincided with a run of three defeats in Serie A and the Coppa Italia without the Frenchman in the lineup.

With Lautaro Martinez and his eight Champions League goals so far in the 2024/25 season, Pau Cubarsi and Ronald Araujo will also have to be careful if they want to keep the Nerazzurri strikers out of Barcelona.

/Telegraph/