Barcelona Faces Challenge After Thrilling Draw Against Inter in Semifinals

BARCELONA, Spain — FC Barcelona and Inter Milan played to a dramatic 3-3 draw in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League semi-finals on Wednesday night, showcasing Barcelona’s renowned attacking flair but also exposing defensive frailties.

Despite the thrilling match, manager Hansi Flick acknowledged that Barcelona’s high-risk strategy, characterized by a high defensive line and intense pressing, can lead to vulnerabilities. “It’s not easy,” Flick said. “But this is the situation, and Kounde’s injury is also about playing every three days. It happens.”

Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal stood out during the match, contributing to the team’s offensive display as they recovered from a two-goal deficit. He described his desire to win, saying, “I believe we could have won the game. I’m happy to help the team but I always want to win.”

Barcelona had 19 shots on goal, scoring three times, and hitting the woodwork twice. In contrast, Inter managed just seven shots, with three finding the back of the net, one of which was disallowed. Flick praised the team’s mentality, particularly after a comeback victory in the Copa del Rey final against Real Madrid just days before.

However, injuries to key players have compounded the challenges facing Barcelona. Defender Jules Kounde is likely to miss the second leg due to a hamstring injury, while Robert Lewandowski and Alejandro Balde were not available for the match against Inter. Club announcements have pointed to exhaustion among players from a congested fixture schedule.

Frenkie de Jong commented on the team’s approach, stating, “It’s good to see what we do because we like to play attacking football… We take some risks, but I think we also obtain many good things.” The team’s spirits remain high as they prepare for the decisive second leg in Milan next Tuesday.

As the tension builds for the next match, with the aggregate tie still level, both teams aim to clinch a spot in the final with Barcelona focusing on overcoming their defensive weaknesses while maintaining their assertive playing style.