Inter Milan vs Barcelona LIVE commentary: Champions League giants battle it out again after first leg epic

Inter Milan and Barcelona face off tonight for a place in the Champions League final, live on talkSPORT.

The semi-final tie is level after a thrilling 3-3 first leg in Spain, and it is all set up for a fascinating encounter at the San Siro.

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In one of the games of the season, it was 17-year-old Lamine Yamal who stole the show as he produced a mesmerising display on home soil.

It was a match of contrasts as Inter looked to hit on the counter-attack, while Hansi Flick‘s men played in an extremely aggressive manner.

It was a stunning spectacle, and it would be a surprise if the second leg disappoints.

The winner will face either Arsenal or Paris Saint-Germain in Munich to round off the season.

Inter Milan vs Barcelona: Star boy

Yamal’s performance in the first leg was so good that Federico Dimarco was hauled off before 60 minutes because he was struggling to cope.

Alessandro Bastoni had to be on Yamal at all times, and after the game, Simone Inzaghi commented that he needed to put three men on the teenage sensation.

His goal was also magnificent as he weaved his way into the box before finding the far corner.

He was a constant menace for Inter, who will be dreading facing him again.

However, as neutrals, we all want to see this teenage superstar entertain at the highest level once more.

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• This will be the 18th major European meeting between Internazionale and Barcelona, with only Bayern Munich vs Real Madrid (28), Juventus vs Real Madrid (21) and Inter vs Real Madrid (19) played more often in history. Each of the last two games between the teams have ended 3-3, in the UEFA Champions League in October 2022 and this season’s first leg.
• Barcelona have won just one of their six away UEFA Champions League matches against Internazionale (D3 L2), a 2-1 win in December 2019. Overall, Barca have managed just five wins in 24 away games in Italy (21%), their lowest win ratio in any non-Spanish nation in the competition.
• The first leg between Internazionale and Barcelona ended 3-3. Only three UEFA Champions League semi-finals have seen 10+ goals scored on aggregate: Juventus 6-4 Monaco (1997-98), Liverpool 7-6 Roma (2017-18) and Real Madrid 6-5 Man City (2021-22).

Inter Milan vs Barcelona: Team news

The bad news for Inter is that their captain and star man Lautaro Martinez is injured.

The striker suffered the hamstring problem during the first leg, meaning Medhi Taremi is likely to start alongside Marcus Thuram.

Benjamin Pavard is also out.

Barcelona made plenty of changes at the weekend, but Yamal and co are expected to return to the starting XI.

Marc-Andre ter Stegen is back from injury, but he faces a fight to replace Wojciech Szczesny.

Robert Lewandowski and Alejandro Balde are still doubtful.

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• Internazionale are looking to reach their third UEFA Champions League final (also 2010 and 2023), while for Barcelona it would be their sixth final (1994, 2006, 2009, 2011, 2015), drawing level with Bayern Munich, Milan and Juventus for finals reached and behind only Real Madrid (9).
• Barcelona have scored 40 goals in this season’s UEFA Champions League, the most by a side in a season since Bayern Munich in 2019-20 (43). The only other teams to score more than 40 in a season are Barca themselves in 1999-00 (45), Real Madrid in 2013-14 (41) and Liverpool in 2017-18 (41).
• Internazionale are unbeaten in their last 15 home UEFA Champions League matches (W12 D3), their best unbeaten home streak in major European competition since a run of 27 between 1980 and 1987. They’ve also won nine of their last 11 home semi-final matches in Europe (D1 L1).

Inter Milan vs Barcelona: What has been said?

For Inter, it is all about trying to stop Yamal.

Inzaghi said: “We have to try to keep the ball from getting to him, but it’s impossible.

“He will obviously be double-marked, he’ll be a marked man, and we’ll try to pay close attention to him.

“Seeing him live, he’s an incredible talent, truly very dangerous — everyone gives him the ball.

“What impressed me was his speed of thought; he always knows what play to make.”

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• Raphinha has had a hand in 20 goals in this season’s UEFA Champions League (12 goals, 8 assists), with only Cristiano Ronaldo in 2013-14 (17 goals, 4 assists) having more in one season. The only player to assist more goals in a campaign was Luís Figo, also for Barcelona, in 1999-00 (9).
• After one goal in his first 39 UEFA Champions League appearances, Internazionale’s Denzel Dumfries scored twice in the first leg. Should either he or teammate Marcus Thuram score in this game, they’d be the first to score in both legs of a European Cup semi-final for Inter since Giacinto Facchetti in 1966-67.
• Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal has scored five UEFA Champions League goals this season, with only Erling Haaland (10 in 2019-20), Kylian Mbappe (6 in 2016-17) and Raúl (6 in 1995/96) scoring more in a season as a teenager. Yamal’s 44 shots, 19 shots on target and 78 dribbles are all the most Opta has on record since 2003-04 by a teenager in a season.
• Pedri has completed 721 passes in this season’s UEFA Champions League, the most by a Spanish midfielder in a season for Barcelona since Sergio Busquets in 2018-19 (903). He’s also made 18 line-breaking passes leading to a shot, the most of any player still left in the competition.

Inter Milan vs Barcelona: Date and how to follow

This Champions League semi-final second leg is set to take place on Tuesday, May 6.

Kick-off at the San Siro is set for 8pm UK time.

talkSPORT will have live coverage from Italy, with Adrian Durham serving as your host.

Commentary will then come from Joe Shennan and former Chelsea defender Scott Minto.

To tune in to talkSPORT through the website, click HERE for the live stream.

You can also listen via the talkSPORT app, on DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.

talkSPORT.com will also have regular updates throughout.