Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has bolstered his squad with the return of star striker Robert Lewandowski and teenage sensation Lamine Yamal for the UEFA Champions League semi-final second leg against Inter Milan at San Siro on Tuesday, May 6, 2025. The first leg at Camp Nou ended in a thrilling 3-3 draw, with Yamal scoring a stunning solo goal and assisting in Barcelona’s comeback from a two-goal deficit, despite Lewandowski’s absence due to a hamstring injury sustained in a 4-3 LaLiga win over Celta Vigo on April 19. Both teams enter the match in form, having secured weekend victories—Barcelona 2-1 over Real Valladolid and Inter 3-1 against Verona—setting the stage for a high-stakes battle to reach the Munich final on May 31.
Flick’s 23-man squad includes key players like Lewandowski, who has scored 40 goals in 48 appearances this season, and Yamal, whose flair earned him praise as “almost inhuman” from AC Milan legend Alessandro Nesta. The full squad comprises Cubarsí, R. Araujo, I. Martinez, Gavi, Ferran Torres, Pedri, Lewandowski, Ansu Fati, Raphinha, Iñaki Peña, Christensen, Fermín López, Pau Víctor, Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo, Frenkie de Jong, Eric García, Wojciech Szczęsny, Diego Astralaga, Héctor Fort, Gerard Martín, Landry Farré, and Toni Darvich. Notably, Jules Koundé is ruled out with an injury from the first leg, with Eric García expected to replace him, while Alejandro Balde’s absence sees Gerard Martín continue at left-back.
Lewandowski, cleared for action after training on May 4, is likely to start on the bench, with Flick prioritizing caution per Reuters and Mundo Deportivo. Flick confirmed, “Lewandowski is feeling good and can be available if we need him,” suggesting Ferran Torres will lead the attack, supported by Yamal, Raphinha, and Olmo, as outlined by Barca Blaugranes. Inter, meanwhile, face doubts over Lautaro Martínez’s thigh and Yann Pavard’s ankle, potentially weakening their lineup, per X post @imfuraluc01. Inter’s Simone Inzaghi plans to double-mark Yamal, acknowledging his “genius” after the 17-year-old’s first-leg heroics, where he became the youngest semi-final scorer, per Al Jazeera.
The match is pivotal for Barcelona’s treble aspirations, having already won the Supercopa and Copa del Rey in 2025. Flick, unbeaten in 26 LaLiga games, faces pressure to manage a depleted squad, with Yahoo Sports noting his rested stars against Valladolid to prioritize this clash. X posts, like @footyinsider247, hailed Lewandowski’s return as a “huge boost,” while @PolymarketFC shared Barcelona’s predicted XI, emphasizing youth and depth. However, analysts warn that Inter’s home advantage and set-piece prowess, exploited in the first leg, pose challenges. With both sides level, the tie hinges on tactical discipline and moments of brilliance, particularly from Yamal, as Barcelona aim for their first Champions League final since 2015.
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