By In a match that lived up to its billing, FC Barcelona and Inter Milan played out a pulsating 3-3 draw in the first leg of their 2025 Champions League semifinal at the Estadi Olímpic in Catalonia on April 30, sets the stage for a blockbuster second leg at the San Siro next week, with a spot in the Munich final on the line.
The game was a showcase of attacking football, with both teams trading blows in a contest that felt more like a second-leg decider than an opener. As noted by The Athletic, Inter’s Denzel Dumfries epitomized the intensity, wringing every ounce of energy from his body in a performance that left him—and the fans—exhausted but exhilarated. “This is exactly how I imagine it feeling to give everything in a Champions League semifinal against Barcelona,” a source close to the player remarked, capturing the draining yet electrifying atmosphere.
Barcelona, under the stewardship of Hansi Flick, came into the match with confidence. Flick, who turned 60 in February during a 13-game unbeaten streak, has revitalized the Catalan giants this season. According to The Athletic, his emphasis on discipline—punctuality being a cornerstone—has brought a new level of cohesion to the squad. The decision to hand the holding midfield role to Dutchman Frenkie de Jong at the start of 2025 has paid dividends, allowing Barcelona to dominate possession even against a formidable Inter side.
Inter Milan, meanwhile, are enjoying a stellar campaign under Simone Inzaghi. The Serie A leaders, who have been unbeaten since February, showed their pedigree with a performance that refused to settle for a draw. Lautaro Martínez, Inter’s captain and talisman, has been in scintillating form this season. Fresh off a Champions League hat-trick against Monaco in January, as detailed on his Wikipedia page, Martínez is no stranger to the big stage. His history against Barcelona is particularly notable—he became the first Inter player since Roberto Boninsegna in 1970 to score at Camp Nou in 2019, and his ambition to reach the final was palpable in his post-match comments. “We’re not here to settle,” Martínez reportedly told his teammates, signaling Inter’s intent to push for victory in the return leg.
The 3-3 scoreline harks back to a time when the now-defunct away-goals rule would have made such a result a tactical conundrum. As The Athletic points out, teams like Jose Mourinho’s 2010 Inter side, which famously defeated Barcelona en route to the Champions League title, might have adopted a “what we have, we hold” mentality. But in 2025, with the rule long gone, both sides played with an attacking fervor that kept fans on the edge of their seats until the final whistle.
Inter’s recent history in Champions League semifinals adds another layer of intrigue. Two years ago, they scored twice in the first 11 minutes against city rivals AC Milan in the first leg, cruising to the final. While this match didn’t deliver an early blitz, Inter’s resilience against a Barcelona side in top form suggests they’re ready for the challenge at San Siro on May 6.
For Barcelona, the draw is a testament to their depth. Flick’s rotation strategy has paid off this season, with substitutes contributing 17 La Liga goals—second only to Atletico Madrid’s 18—highlighting the squad’s ability to impact games from the bench. “Since the start of 2025, Flick has defined roles for everyone, and the players have thrived,” a source close to the team told The Athletic. That depth will be crucial as they head to Milan.
As the dust settles on this six-goal thriller, both teams will regroup with everything to play for. Inter, buoyed by their home crowd, will look to Martínez and Dumfries to lead them to their first Champions League final since 2010. Barcelona, meanwhile, will rely on Flick’s tactical acumen and De Jong’s midfield control to navigate the cauldron of the San Siro. One thing is certain: the footballing world will be watching.
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