FC Barcelona vs Inter Milan UEFA Champions League Semifinal

The UEFA Champions League semifinal clash between FC Barcelona and Inter Milan on April 30, 2025, at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys was a thrilling spectacle that had football fans glued to their screens. This first-leg encounter ended in a pulsating 3-3 draw, setting the stage for an epic second leg. Whether you’re a die-hard Barça supporter or an Inter enthusiast, here’s everything you need to know about watching the match, key players, lineups, stats, and the timeline of this high-stakes battle.

Where to Watch the Match

For fans eager to catch Barcelona vs Inter Milan live, broadcast options varied by region. In the United States, the match was available on Paramount+ and televised on CBS, with pre-game coverage starting at 2:00 PM ET. UK viewers tuned into TNT Sports or streamed via Discovery+, with kickoff at 8:00 PM BST. In India, Sony Ten 2 and Sony Ten 2 HD broadcast the game, with streaming on SonyLiv starting at 12:30 AM IST on May 1, 2025. Canada and New Zealand fans accessed the match through DAZN, while South Africa viewers watched on SuperSport via DStv. Notably, Ireland offered a free stream on RTÉ Player and broadcast on RTÉ2. For those abroad, using a VPN like NordVPN ensured access to home streaming services. Check local listings or FC Barcelona’s Match Center for additional broadcasters.

Key Players and Lineups

Both teams fielded strong lineups, despite injury concerns. Barcelona, led by coach Hansi Flick, lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation: Wojciech Szczesny in goal; defenders Jules Koundé, Pau Cubarsí, Iñigo Martínez, and Gerard Martin; midfielders Frenkie de Jong (captain) and Pedri; attacking midfielders Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo, and Raphinha; with Ferran Torres leading the line. Injuries sidelined Robert Lewandowski, Alejandro Balde, Marc Bernal, and Marc Casado, and Koundé’s first-half injury forced Eric García into action.

Inter Milan, under Simone Inzaghi, deployed a 3-5-2: Yann Sommer in goal; defenders Yann Bisseck, Francesco Acerbi, and Alessandro Bastoni; wing-backs Denzel Dumfries and Federico Dimarco; midfielders Nicolò Barella, Hakan Çalhanoğlu, and Henrikh Mkhitaryan; with strikers Lautaro Martínez (captain) and Marcus Thuram. Mehdi Taremi and Marko Arnautović were among the substitutes, with Benjamin Pavard absent due to a recent injury. Dumfries and Thuram proved pivotal, while Sommer made crucial saves before an unfortunate own goal.

Match Timeline and Stats

The match at Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys was a rollercoaster. Here’s the timeline of key moments:

• 1’: Marcus Thuram scored the fastest goal in Champions League semifinal history, a stunning backheel after a Denzel Dumfries cross, putting Inter 1-0 up.
• 21’: Dumfries doubled Inter’s lead with a header from a Çalhanoğlu free kick.
• 24’: Lamine Yamal pulled one back for Barça, assisted by Raphinha, making it 2-1.
• 38’: Ferran Torres equalized at 2-2, finishing a Pedri pass after Raphinha’s header.
• 63’: Dumfries struck again, heading in a Çalhanoğlu corner to restore Inter’s lead at 3-2.
• 65’: Raphinha’s shot hit the crossbar and deflected off Yann Sommer for an own goal, leveling the score at 3-3.

Stats highlighted Barcelona’s dominance in possession (58%) and shots (18 vs. Inter’s 12), but Inter’s clinical finishing and set-piece prowess shone through. Sommer made five saves, while Szczesny managed three. Dani Olmo tested Sommer with a long-range effort, and Lautaro Martínez remained a constant threat despite fitness concerns late in the first half.

Team Form and Context

Barcelona entered the match as La Liga leaders, fresh off a 3-2 extra-time Copa del Rey win over Real Madrid. Their 5-3 aggregate victory over Borussia Dortmund in the quarterfinals showcased their attacking flair, led by Raphinha (second in UCL goals with 12) and Yamal. Aiming for a treble, Barça haven’t won the Champions League since 2014-15.

Inter Milan, Serie A leaders, edged Bayern Munich 4-3 on aggregate in the quarterfinals. Despite a recent Coppa Italia loss to Milan and a league defeat to Roma, Inter’s resilience and experience—reaching the UCL final in 2022-23—made them formidable. Lautaro Martínez’s five-game UCL scoring streak and Dumfries’ aerial dominance were key.

Head-to-Head and Stakes

Historically, Barcelona holds a slight edge with three wins to Inter’s one and two draws in six Champions League meetings. However, Inter’s 1-0 win in the 2022-23 group stage and their 2010 semifinal upset under José Mourinho added spice to this rivalry. With a place in the Allianz Arena final on May 31, 2025, against either Arsenal or PSG at stake, both teams left everything on the pitch.

Final Notes

For live updates, UEFA.com, Sofascore, and VAVEL offered minute-by-minute coverage, while FC Barcelona’s and Inter Milan’s official sites provided post-match analysis. Fans can secure tickets for the second leg at San Siro on May 6 via FCBarcelona.com. This Barça vs Inter clash reaffirmed why the Champions League remains the pinnacle of club football, with both sides poised for a dramatic decider.