Context:

Inter Milan and Barcelona are set to face off in the second leg of the UEFA Champions League semifinals after a thrilling 3-3 draw in the first leg. In the initial encounter, Inter led 2-0 and 3-2, but Barcelona's Lamine Yamal and Raphinha delivered crucial goals to level the score. Both teams face significant injury issues, with Inter's Lautaro Martinez managing a thigh problem and Barcelona missing key defenders like Jules Kounde and Alejandro Balde. Inter will likely field a fresh squad as several star players, including Hakan Calhanoglu, were rested in their recent domestic match. Barcelona might field four central defenders due to their fullback injuries, and the front six is expected to remain unchanged, with Robert Lewandowski not risked from the start due to injury recovery.

Dive Deeper:

• Inter Milan and Barcelona played to a 3-3 draw in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League semifinals, with Inter twice taking the lead before being pegged back by Barcelona's Lamine Yamal and Raphinha's goals.

• Inter's Lautaro Martinez is managing a thigh issue but is expected to partner Marcus Thuram upfront, offering a potent attacking combination for the second leg.

• Barcelona faces significant defensive challenges, with Jules Kounde and Alejandro Balde ruled out due to injuries, prompting potential strategic shifts in their defensive lineup.

• Hakan Calhanoglu's domestic suspension allowed him to rest over the weekend, positioning him as a fresh asset for Inter's lineup against Barcelona.

• Barcelona's coach, Hansi Flick, may employ a four-central-defender strategy due to injuries, with Eric Garcia and Inigo Martinez covering the fullback positions, and Ronald Araujo set to partner Pau Cubarsi centrally.

• Robert Lewandowski, still recovering from a hamstring strain, will likely not start, keeping the Barcelona front six unchanged from the first leg.

• Both teams are vying for a spot in the finals, with Inter hoping to redeem themselves after being runners-up in 2023, while Barcelona seeks a sixth European title.

• Inter Milan and Barcelona reconvene in the second leg of the UEFA Champions League semifinals, six days on from serving up an instant classic.

• Inter led 2-0 and 3-2 at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys but were pegged back as Lamine Yamal produced a bravura performance.

• The Barca winger scored a magnificent goal to start the initial fightback, while his fellow Ballon d'Or contender Raphinha smashed home a brilliant equaliser in off goalkeeper Yann Sommer to ensure we head to San Siro all square.

• Both teams have injury concerns in key positions. Will beaten 2023 finalists Inter get another shot at glory or will Barcelona head to Munich in search of a sixth European title?

• RECAP: How Barcelona and Inter's incredible 3-3 first-leg draw unfolded

• Inter Milan vs. Barcelona lineups, starting 11, team news Star striker Lautaro Martinez could only manage 45 minutes in last week's game as he continues to manage a thigh problem. However, a report in the print edition of La Gazzetta dello Sport on Monday suggested the Argentina international will be ready to partner first-leg goalscorer Marcus Thuram up front.

• Hakan Calhanoglu served a domestic suspension at the weekend but that merely meant he was one of several first-choice stars who sat out the weekend win over Verona. Like his opposite number, Inter boss Simone Inzaghi is coming into this one with the benefit of fresh legs.

• Inter Milan starting lineup (3-5-2): Sommer (GK) — Bisseck, Acerbi, Bastoni — Dumfries, Calhanoglu, Mkhitaryan, Barella, Dimarco — Martinez, Thuram

• Injured: Martinez (thigh, doubt), Pavard (ankle)
  Suspended: None

• WATCH: UEFA Champions League with a FREE trial of Paramount+ in USA | A new era of UEFA Champions League in Australia, only on Stan Sport

• Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick has a headache in both fullback positions and must also weigh rushing any players back against the looming demands on a pivotal La Liga Clasico against Real Madrid this coming Saturday.

• Jules Kounde will miss out after limping off during the first leg, while Alejandro Balde does not appear to have recovered in time from a hamstring injury of his own.

• It means Flick could effectively field four central defenders, with Eric Garcia filling in at right-back and Inigo Martinez shifting to left-back, with Ronald Araujo coming in to partner Pau Cubarsi at the heart of defence. Flick made the latter switch at halftime in the initial game after young full-back Gerard Martin endured a torrid time.

• The Barcelona front six is likely to remain unchanged from the initial encounter, with Robert Lewandowski unlikely to be risked from the start as he recovers from a hamstring strain.

• Barcelona predicted starting lineup (4-2-3-1): Szczesny (GK) — Garcia, Araujo, Cubarsi, Martinez — Pedri, De Jong — Lamine Yamal, Olmo, Raphinha — Ferran

• Injured: Lewandowski (hamstring), Kounde (hamstring), Balde (hamstring, doubt), Casado (knee), Bernal (ACL)
  Suspended: None

• MORE: All the latest Barcelona news | Latest La Liga top goal scorer list | Latest Champions League top goal scorer list

• live stream, TV channel

  Inter Milan vs. Barcelona Here's how to watch this Champions League semifinal, first leg across selected areas of the world's major regions:

• Region	TV	Streaming
  USA	TUDN USA, Univision	Paramount+, Fubo, ViX, TUDN.com, Univision Now, TUDN App
  Canada	—	DAZN
  UK	—	Amazon Prime Video
  Australia	—	Stan Sport
  India	—	JioTV, Sony LIV