Champions League: semi-final cracker: Flick and Barça save draws against Inter

With FC Barcelona, ​​coach Hansi Flick, thanks to a famous catch-up in the spectacular semi-final first leg against Inter Milan, has given up his chances of the Champions League triumph. Barça saved a 3: 3 (2: 2) in the Olympic Stadium at home after a two-time deficit against the Bavaria converter. So everything is still open for the second leg next Tuesday in the San Siro.

Former Gladbacher Marcus Thuram put the guests in the lead after only 32 seconds with a hinge gate worth seeing. With the second Inter-chance, Denzel Dumfries provided 2-0 (21st minute) by side puller. Young star Lamine Yamal (24th) and Ferran Torres (38th) initially brought Barça up. According to data provider Opta, Yamal is the youngest scorer at the age of 17 and 291 days in a Champions League semi-final.

Inters another tour through the second goal of Dumfries (64th) only held one minute because an own goal of keeper Yann Sommer again equalized after a shot in Raphinha.

Spain league leaders Barcelona, ​​who triumphed against Real Madrid in the cup final last Saturday, continues to have chances on the title triple. Flick had already made this feat as a coach of FC Bayern 2020. His prospects of being able to play the Champions League final on May 31 in his old home in Munich are still decent.

Famoser start initiates spectacle

The start into the game was a shock for Barça. Inter took the lead with the second attack because central defender Inigo Martinez slipped and Thuram artistically completed a cross from Dumfries. Then the Italian champion with the German international Yann Aurel Bisseck pulled back into his own half to open his notorious Catenaccio. “You have one of the best defensive in Europe,” Flick warned before the kick -off.

His team developed two equal opportunities through Torres (12th/19th) – before Inter struck ice cold again after a corner. It was mainly due to Yamal that Barça took hope again. The 17-year-old made a lot of steam over the right wing, hit the connection and shortly afterwards the latte (26th). The second goal of the young star prevented Inter-goalkeeper Sommer with a strong reflex.

Unusual defensive weaknesses at Inter

Inters defense block was no longer so safe, and there was also a lack of relief attacks. The three competitive game defeats in a row after the progress against FC Bayern were noticeable. After the former Leipziger Dani Olmo failed twice in summer, the ex-Bundesliga professional had to grab again. Torres only had to hold his foot down after preparatory work by Raphinha.

After the break, Inters top striker Lautaro Martinez remained in the cabin. This also weakened the Nerazzurri offensive efforts – but according to standards, guests remained dangerous as in the second goal of Dumfries. Then Sommer was unlucky when the ball after a shot from Raphinha crashed into its body from the latte and then into the goal.

Ter Stegen on his birthday not in the squad

As expected, the Barça goal was the Polish veteran Wojciech Szczesny. The German national goalkeeper Marc-André Ter Stegen, who was only back in training for a short time after a long injury break, watched on his 33rd birthday next to the striker Robert Lewandowski injured in the thigh. They no longer saw any further goals, although both teams do not satisfy themselves.