PARIS, May 5: Scoring three away goals should make Inter Milan feel confident heading into the return leg of its Champions League semifinal against Barcelona on Tuesday.
Inter might not think so, considering Barcelona’s ability to conjure goals out of nowhere with the world’s best young player in the side.
Inter was 2-0 up after 21 minutes in the first leg, before 17-year-old Spain star Lamine Yamal scored a stunning goal and Barcelona fought back to draw 3-3 at home in a pulsating contest packed with spectacular goals.
Stopping Yamal is hard enough, but then there’s Raphinha — who is merely Barcelona’s other Ballon d’Or contender.
With his long-range shooting and speedy attacks through the middle or down the flanks, he is a permanent threat. The Brazilian has 12 goals in the competition, one more than strike partner Robert Lewandowski.
But for all of Barcelona’s firepower, the defense remains vulnerable and coach Hansi Flick is under pressure to make the right calls.
He kept Wojciech Szczesny in goal, even though No. 1 Marc-André ter Stegen has recovered from a long-term knee injury and played in Saturday’s 2-1 win at Valladolid.
Barcelona is looking to win the competition for the sixth time, while Inter seeks a fourth title. Inter won in 2010, beating Barca in a tense semifinal. (PTI)
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