|
04/30/25 11:25:00
Printable Page
04/30 07:10 CDT Barcelona's attack faces Inter defense in Champions League
semifinals
Barcelona's attack faces Inter defense in Champions League semifinals
By JOSEPH WILSON
Associated Press
BARCELONA, Spain (AP) --- Barcelona's high-scoring attack will face Inter
Milan's stingy defense in the opening game of their Champions League semifinal
on Wednesday.
Barcelona has the best attack in the competition with 37 goals scored, while
the Italian visitors have allowed just five goals and kept a tournament-best
eight clean sheets.
Hansi Flick's Barcelona is as confident as can be after beating Real Madrid in
the Copa del Rey final on Saturday. That launched the La Liga leaders' bid to
sweep a treble of titles in its first season under the German coach.
Inter, in contrast, arrives in Spain on a rare slump. Simone Inzaghi's side has
lost three straight games without scoring a single goal for the first time in
13 years, surrendering its lead of Serie A and exiting the Italian Cup.
Raphinha and his 12 goals in the Champions League will lead Barcelona's attack
along with playmaker Lamine Yamal and Pedri Gonzlez in midfield. Barcelona's
overall top scorer Robert Lewandowski is injured.
Inter has the doubt if striker Marcus Thuram can play after being sidelined
during its losing streak with a left thigh injury.
The second leg will be next week in Milan. The winner will face either Paris
Saint-Germain or Arsenal in Munich on May 31. PSG beat Arsenal 1-0 in London on
Tuesday in their first match.
___
AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
|