In a thrilling encounter at the iconic San Siro, FC Barcelona faced off against Inter Milan in the second leg of their UEFA Champions League semifinal on May 6, 2025. The match ended in a dramatic 4-3 defeat for Barcelona after extra time, but the Catalan giants showed immense resilience, coming back from a two-goal deficit to lead 3-2 at one point during the second half.
The first leg of the tie had ended in a high-scoring 3-3 draw, setting the stage for a gripping return fixture. Inter Milan entered the match with the advantage of having scored three away goals, but Barcelona was determined to overturn the odds and secure a place in the final.
From the outset, Inter Milan displayed their intent, with Lautaro Martínez opening the scoring in the 20th minute after a well-placed assist from Dumfries. The home side continued to apply pressure, and just before halftime, Çalhanoglu converted a penalty awarded after a foul by Pau Cubarsi, leaving Barcelona trailing 2-0 at the break.
However, the second half saw a remarkable turnaround for Barcelona. Just three minutes after the restart, Eric García struck a beautiful goal from a cross by Gerard Martin, igniting hope among the traveling fans and reducing Inter's lead to 2-1. This goal marked a pivotal moment in the match, as it revitalized Barcelona's attacking spirit.
Barcelona continued to build momentum, and their persistence paid off when they equalized through Raphinha, who scored in the 75th minute. Shortly after, Dani Olmo added another goal, giving Barcelona a stunning 3-2 lead. The visitors had turned the tide and were on the verge of completing a remarkable comeback.
Yet, just as it seemed Barcelona would secure their place in the final, Inter Milan struck back. In a dramatic finish, they managed to equalize late in regulation time, forcing the match into extra time. The tension in the stadium was palpable, with both teams vying for the decisive goal.
As extra time unfolded, it was Inter Milan who found the back of the net again, scoring a crucial goal that ultimately sealed Barcelona's fate. Despite their valiant effort, the Catalan side could not find another equalizer, and the match concluded with a heartbreaking 4-3 defeat.
Post-match, Eric García reflected on the loss, describing it as "cruel" and noting the team's determination to exceed expectations despite being labeled as a transitional squad. "Football has been very cruel to us. I don’t know what it is about this stadium. I’ve been here three times and it’s never gone our way," he lamented. "We all know what happened with this referee last time. We have to be proud, no one believed in us, they said it was a transition year, that we were very young, and in the end, look at all this."
García's sentiments echoed the feelings of many within the Barcelona camp, as they had fought hard to overcome adversity during the match. His performance, alongside others like Gerard Martin, who provided two assists, and Frenkie de Jong, who maintained composure throughout, highlighted the potential of this young squad.
Player ratings reflected the highs and lows of the match for Barcelona. García received an impressive 8.5 for his goal and overall contribution, while Martin was awarded a 9.0 for his outstanding assists. Frenkie de Jong and Pedri both earned 8.5 ratings for their influential roles in midfield, showcasing their ability to control the game.
However, not all performances were as stellar. Ferran Torres struggled to connect with his teammates, earning a lower rating of 5.5, while Hector Fort's brief appearance resulted in a disappointing 4.0 rating due to poor decision-making.
As the dust settles on this heart-wrenching defeat, Barcelona will need to regroup quickly. The team faces their arch-rivals Real Madrid in El Clásico this Sunday, May 11, 2025, at Montjuic, where they can still clinch the La Liga title with a victory. The stakes couldn’t be higher, and the players will need to channel the lessons learned from their semifinal exit into a renewed focus for the upcoming clash.
In conclusion, while the Champions League dream has slipped away for Barcelona this season, the fight they displayed against Inter Milan serves as a testament to their potential. With a young squad eager to prove themselves, the future looks promising, and fans will be hoping for a strong response in the face of adversity as they prepare for the next challenge ahead.
