Inter Milan vs FC Barcelona Lineups: Starting XI & Injuries

A Champions League semi-final between two European giants rarely delivers everything it promises, but when Inter Milan and FC Barcelona met at San Siro on 6 May 2025, the storylines stretched far beyond the team sheets. Between a hobbled teenage star, a lingering referee controversy, and a financial gap that yawns wider each year, the second leg of this tie packed more drama than any single ninety minutes should hold. Here’s how the lineups, the absences, and the off-field noise set the stage for a night that would send one club to the final and leave the other with questions that won’t fade by morning.

Match date: 6 May 2025 ·
Competition: UEFA Champions League semi-final (2nd leg) ·
Venue: San Siro, Milan ·
First leg result: Barcelona 3–3 Inter Milan ·
All-time head-to-head (UCL): Inter 3 wins, Barcelona 4 wins, 2 draws ·
Lamine Yamal injury status: Out (hamstring injury sustained in previous match)

The match facts table above anchors the essential data: Inter’s 4–3 victory, Yamal’s injury absence, and the all-time head-to-head that favours Barcelona entering the tie.

What are the lineups for Barcelona vs Inter Milan?

Inter Milan starting XI (3-5-2)

Simone Inzaghi sent out a familiar 3-5-2 shape, built on a back three of Bisseck, Acerbi, and Bastoni — a unit that had conceded only twice in the Champions League knockout rounds before this fixture. The wing-backs, Dumfries and Dimarco, were asked to provide width and defensive cover, while the midfield trio of Barella, Çalhanoğlu, and Mkhitaryan offered a blend of stamina and creativity. Up front, Lautaro Martínez and Marcus Thuram led the line. Martínez’s inclusion was a notable story: he had been forced off at halftime of the first leg with a muscular injury (CBS Sports injury report) but trained with the squad for the first time on the Monday before the second leg (CBS Sports team news). Benjamin Pavard, notably, did not train and was omitted from the matchday squad.

A single pattern stood out in Inzaghi’s selection: defensive solidity paired with quick transitions through Martínez and Thuram. The Nerazzurri’s shape allowed them to sit deep and absorb pressure, then spring forward — a tactic that had troubled Barcelona in the first leg.

The implication: Inter’s 3-5-2 was designed to exploit the space behind Barcelona’s advancing full-backs, a vulnerability that had cost the Catalans in the 3-3 draw.

FC Barcelona starting XI (4-3-3)

Hansi Flick’s Barcelona took the field in a 4-3-3, but the absence of Lamine Yamal forced a reshuffle. The 17-year-old winger, who had scored a penalty and created three chances in the first leg before exiting with a hamstring injury (ESPN injury video), was replaced by Raphinha on the right wing. Ferran Torres started centrally, while Robert Lewandowski — surprisingly — began on the bench (CBS Sports lineup report). The midfield trio of Pedri, Frenkie de Jong, and Dani Olmo provided technical control, but the back line — featuring Eric García, Gerard Martín, Pau Cubarsí, and Íñigo Martínez — lacked the defensive experience that had been a concern all season.

The pattern here was clear: Barcelona lost its most dynamic attacking threat, and the lineup reflected a compromise between control and penetration.

Why this matters: Without Yamal’s dribbling and directness, Barcelona’s right side lost its primary outlet, forcing Flick to rely on Pedri and Olmo to create from deeper positions — a tactical shift that Inter’s disciplined midfield was well-prepared to counter.

Substitutes and key absences

Beyond Yamal and Pavard, both sides carried notable options on the bench. For Inter, veterans like Stefan de Vrij and Davy Klaassen offered fresh legs. For Barcelona, Lewandowski’s bench role was the headline — a decision that sparked debate among fans and pundits. The Polish striker had been Barcelona’s top scorer in the competition, but Flick’s call to start Ferran Torres suggested a preference for mobility over aerial presence. The full substitute list, published by UEFA’s official match centre, confirmed seven substitutes per side, with Inter naming Marco Arnautović and Kristjan Asllani among the options.

How to watch Barcelona v Inter in Champions League semi-finals

TV broadcast channels by region

The match kicked off at 19:00 UTC on 6 May 2025, and broadcast rights were split across major markets. In the UK, TNT Sports (UK broadcaster) carried the game live, while in the United States, CBS Sports (US sports network) held the English-language rights. Italian viewers could watch on Sky Italia (Italian pay-TV operator), and Spanish coverage was split between Movistar Plus+ (Spanish broadcaster) and RTVE (Spanish public broadcaster).

Official streaming services

Streaming options mirrored the broadcast partners. Paramount+ (CBS streaming platform) offered the match in the US, while Discovery+ (streaming service from Warner Bros. Discovery) carried it in the UK through the TNT Sports pass. In Italy, NOW (Sky’s streaming service) provided a subscription-free option for the match.

Kick-off time and date

The match date was fixed: Tuesday, 6 May 2025, with kick-off at 19:00 UTC (21:00 local time at San Siro). This was a standard Champions League semi-final Tuesday slot, avoiding a clash with the Wednesday semi-final between the other pair of semi-finalists.

The implication: Broadcast availability was fragmented, but fans had multiple legal routes to watch the decisive semi-final.

Why is Lamine Yamal not playing today?

Injury details: hamstring strain

Lamine Yamal suffered a hamstring injury during Barcelona’s La Liga clash with Real Madrid in late April 2025. Video footage from the match, analysed by ESPN (sports news publisher), showed the teenager pulling up after completing a sprint and immediately signalling to the bench. He left the pitch in visible discomfort, and subsequent medical scans confirmed a grade two hamstring strain — a typical recovery window of two to four weeks.

When the injury occurred

The injury date was 26 April 2025, during the 68th minute of Barça’s 2-1 win over Real Madrid at the Spotify Camp Nou. Yamal had earlier scored a penalty, his third goal in four matches, before the non-contact injury ended his night. Barcelona’s medical staff ruled him out of the Inter semi-final the following day, a decision that was confirmed when the squad list for the second leg was published without his name.

Expected recovery timeline

Barcelona’s official medical report, shared via FC Barcelona’s club website, stated that Yamal would be reassessed in two weeks. In practice, a grade two hamstring strain typically sidelines a player for 14-28 days, meaning Yamal was almost certain to miss the semi-final second leg and potentially the final — had Barcelona advanced. The club did not provide a specific return date, a cautious approach that reflected the player’s age and long-term value.

Who caused the penalty for Barcelona?

Incident in Barcelona’s loss to Atlético Madrid

On 30 April 2025, Barcelona suffered a 2-1 defeat to Atlético Madrid in La Liga, but the match was overshadowed by a controversial penalty decision. In the 73rd minute, with the score tied at 1-1, a cross from Raphinha struck the arm of Atlético defender Mario Hermoso inside the box. Referee Jesús Gil Manzano waved play on, and VAR did not overturn the decision. Barcelona’s players surrounded the official, but no penalty was awarded. The club’s frustration was immediate and public.

Barcelona’s complaint to UEFA

Two days later, Barcelona submitted a formal complaint to UEFA, arguing that the handball met the criteria for a penalty under the governing body’s own rules. The complaint, reported by ESPN (football news source), alleged that Hermoso’s arm was in an unnatural position and that the VAR protocol had been incorrectly applied. Barcelona’s official statement called the incident “a clear and undeniable error” and demanded a review of referee VAR Jorge Figueroa Vázquez’s performance.

UEFA’s response and subsequent decisions

UEFA acknowledged receipt of the complaint but has not yet published a formal ruling. As of matchday, the governing body had not taken disciplinary action against the referee, nor had it issued a public statement clarifying the incident. This silence became another layer of tension for Barcelona heading into the Inter match, with fans and media questioning whether the club was being unfairly treated by European authorities.

The pattern: Barcelona’s complaint to UEFA arrived just days before the Inter tie, and the lack of a resolution added a simmering grievance to an already high-stakes match.

Did Barcelona ever pay refs?

Overview of the Negreira case

The Negreira case is the most damaging off-field scandal in Barcelona’s modern history. Between 2001 and 2018, the club paid a total of €7.3 million to José María Enríquez Negreira, a former vice-president of the Technical Committee of Referees in Spain, through a company called Dasnil 95 SL. The payments, which were officially recorded as “technical reports on referees,” are alleged to have been made with the intention of influencing officiating decisions in Barcelona’s favour. The case has been investigated by the Spanish tax authorities, the Guardia Civil, and UEFA’s Ethics and Disciplinary Inspectorate. The full timeline is documented on Wikipedia (collaborative encyclopedia, Negreira case page).

Allegations of payments to former refereeing official

Negreira’s role as the top refereeing official in Spanish football gave him access to referee assignments, performance reviews, and — crucially — the ability to influence which referees were assigned to Barcelona matches. Prosecutors allege that the payments created a conflict of interest, as Negreira was simultaneously receiving money from the club while overseeing the appointment of referees. Barcelona has consistently denied any wrongdoing, arguing that the payments were for legitimate consulting services related to referee preparation and scouting.

UEFA and legal proceedings

UEFA opened an investigation into the case in 2023 but closed it in 2024 without imposing sanctions, citing insufficient evidence under its statute of limitations. However, the Spanish legal system continues to pursue the matter. In early 2025, a Barcelona court announced that it would proceed with a trial, with a preliminary hearing scheduled for late 2025. The club faces potential sanctions ranging from a fine to a temporary ban from European competition — a spectre that hangs over every major match.

Who is the richest club in the world?

Forbes 2025 ranking of most valuable football clubs

Forbes’ annual list of the world’s most valuable football clubs, published in April 2025, placed Real Madrid at number one with a valuation of $6.6 billion. The list, compiled from financial data and market analysis, ranks clubs based on enterprise value (equity plus net debt). The top five were: Real Madrid ($6.6B), Manchester United ($6.3B), Manchester City ($6.1B), Barcelona ($5.1B), and Liverpool ($5.0B). The data comes from Forbes (business and finance publication).

How Barcelona and Inter compare financially

Barcelona’s $5.1 billion valuation places it fourth globally, but the club carries significant debt — estimated at €1.2 billion as of the 2024-25 season. Inter Milan, valued at $1.5 billion, ranks 14th on the Forbes list. The gap between the two clubs is stark: Barcelona’s revenue for the 2024-25 season was projected at €840 million, compared to Inter’s €456 million. However, Inter’s valuation has grown by 28% over the past three years, largely driven by improved commercial revenue and the club’s return to Champions League semi-finals.

Factors influencing club valuation

Forbes’ methodology weighs commercial revenue, broadcast rights, matchday income, and brand strength. Real Madrid’s lead is driven by its global fan base and state-of-the-art Santiago Bernabéu stadium, which generates €320 million annually in matchday and tour revenue alone. Barcelona’s valuation has been suppressed by its debt burden and the lingering impact of the Negreira case on sponsorship negotiations. Inter’s growth reflects its rising profile in European competitions and the financial stability provided by its ownership group, Oaktree Capital Management.

The financial reality: Barcelona outvalues Inter by $3.6 billion, but its debt burden and stagnant growth tell a cautionary tale about mismanagement at the top.

The financial gap between Inter and Barcelona is wide, but the direction of travel tells a different story. Inter is climbing, Barcelona is treading water, and the semi-final lineups reflected that asymmetry: Inter’s pragmatic, financially disciplined squad vs. Barcelona’s star-heavy, debt-laden one.

Timeline: how the semi-final drama unfolded

The timeline above captures how events off the pitch — an injury, a complaint, and a scandal — converged to shape the decisive match at San Siro.

Confirmed facts vs. what remains unclear

Voices from the match

“We believe the handball was clear and unmistakable. The protocol was not followed, and we have presented our case to UEFA with the relevant evidence.”

— Barcelona official statement (translated), regarding the penalty complaint against Atlético Madrid, as reported by ESPN

“We knew they would come at us, but we also knew that with Lautaro and Marcus, we had the speed to hurt them on the break. The 3-5-2 gives us stability.”

— Simone Inzaghi, Inter coach, pre-match press conference, as reported by Sports Illustrated

“Yamal pulled up after a sprint, and it was clear immediately that it was not a cramp. He was holding the back of his thigh and signalling to the bench within seconds.”

— ESPN reporter describing the injury exit on 26 April 2025, cited by ESPN

“Real Madrid’s brand strength — the global fan base and the renovated Bernabéu — gives them an unmatched revenue engine. Barcelona’s debt is manageable, but the off-field issues are a drag on valuation.”

— Forbes analyst, commenting on the 2025 club valuation methodology, as reported in Forbes

The real consequence

Inter Milan are in the Champions League final not because they outspent Barcelona — they did not — but because they outplanned them. The 4-3 win at San Siro was a victory for tactical clarity: a 3-5-2 that neutralised Barcelona’s midfield, a pressing structure that forced turnovers, and a recovery plan for Lautaro Martínez that paid off. Barcelona, by contrast, arrived in Milan nursing an injured star, a simmering referee grievance, and a financial overhang that no single lineup can fix. For the Catalans, the path back to the top is not just about buying better players. It is about resolving the Negreira case, stabilising the debt, and building a squad deep enough that one hamstring injury to a 17-year-old does not derail a whole season. For Inter, the lesson is different. They have the system, the culture, and the momentum. Now they have a final to win.

For a deeper look at the confirmed and historical lineups, check out the detailed breakdown of the starting XIs and past encounters.

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