Barça and Inter completed a memorable match, with back-and-forth changes in the score, with an intensity typical of this stage of the competition. The Italians took the lead before the first minute had even passed, and even scored a second from a corner. But, this team has that winning spirit typical of champions and a player who is on par with the best in the world to manage to equalize the contest.
Lamine Is a Chosen One
Inzaghi's team couldn't have started better; in the first play of the match, Thuram invented an impeccable backheel to "open the can" and make it 0-1. Flick's team tried to impose their game, but in a corner, Acerbi prevailed and Dumfries with a bicycle kick silenced the entire stadium. At this point in the match, Barça saw the Munich final slipping away, and that's when their star appeared.
Lamine Yamal, the absolute reference of the culé attack, emerged and with a precise shot reduced the deficit. Yan Sommer and the post prevented the Spaniard's second, after he once again lifted the crowd from their seats. However, a cross to the far post for Raphinha, who headed it to Ferran, who only had to push it in.
That's how the first half would end, in which Barça cornered the Italians, who couldn't get out or combine easily. The worst part of this half were the injuries suffered by Lautaro and Kounde, both muscular in nature, making it difficult for them to play the return leg.
Another Bad Start
If they didn't start well in the first half, it was no different in the second, as the visitors scored again within a few minutes. Another corner kick, where Szczęsny failed, and once again Dumfries sent the ball into the back of the net. The local response was immediate, a set play ended in a shot by Raphinha and thanks to a rebound off Sommer, the score was equalized again.
The truth is, this second half was different from the first, as Inter grew with the ball and created chances to take the lead. In fact, in one of them they scored, but a millimetric offside prevented the fourth 'neoazurri'. As the minutes passed, Barça bottled up their opponent, looking for that goal that would allow them to take the lead for the first time in the match.
That goal wouldn't come, but at least they avoided a negative result for the return leg, which will be next Tuesday at San Siro. The tie remains completely open, with both teams suffering significant losses, and we'll see if they arrive or recover any players. Barça's next match will be this Saturday against Valladolid, while Inter will face Hellas Verona.
