In a thrilling showdown at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, Inter Milan and FC Barcelona are set to collide in the UEFA Champions League semi-final second leg, with both teams vying for a coveted spot in the final. The match kicks off at 20:00 UK time (19:00 GMT, 21:00 CET) on May 6, 2025, and follows an exhilarating first leg that ended in a dramatic 3-3 draw at Montjuic.
Inter President Beppe Marotta expressed his excitement ahead of the clash, stating, "This is a very positive season, but first and foremost a football team must compete to win. We are still doing that." Marotta emphasized the significance of the match, noting that it is a battle between two deserving teams, saying, "There are butterflies in the stomach. I always reached the Final before when going into a Champions League semi-final, so I hope that the pattern will repeat itself."
With Inter currently second in Serie A, trailing Napoli by three points, the Champions League represents a significant opportunity for the club, especially after their recent exit from the Coppa Italia. Marotta highlighted the financial benefits of their European progress, stating, "This progress in Europe has been an economic boom for the squad built with easily the smallest budget of all the teams in the quarter-finals, let alone the semi-final."
The stakes are high as the winners of this semi-final will face either Arsenal or Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League Final in Munich on May 31, 2025. Marotta noted, "Determination, quality and aggression will all be valuable elements in this match. We are there and have support from these incredible fans. These are unforgettable moments, not just for us, but for all of Italian football. We are proud to represent Italy in the primary club competition."
Meanwhile, across Europe, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) is preparing for their own crucial encounter against Arsenal in the second leg of their semi-final at the Parc des Princes, set for May 7, 2025, at 21:00 local time (19:00 GMT). PSG holds a narrow 1-0 advantage following a tense first leg, where Ousmane Dembélé scored the decisive goal.
PSG's star full-back Achraf Hakimi spoke about the team's mindset, declaring they are aiming for a "perfect night" against the Gunners. "We learned a lot from our last semi-final. We now know exactly what needs fixing and what worked. That experience will be vital tomorrow," Hakimi said during a pre-match press conference. He emphasized the importance of their fans, stating, "The Parc will be electric. Our fans deserve to see us in the final, and we’ll give everything to make that happen."
PSG's manager, Luis Enrique, echoed Hakimi's sentiments, insisting that the team must maintain their focus and style of play. "We’re bound to suffer because our opponents don’t have a favourable result. We need to match our performance as closely as possible in the first leg to win the return leg and stay true to our ideas," Enrique remarked.
In terms of team news, Dembélé has been cleared to play despite a minor hamstring concern, which is a significant boost for PSG as he is their top scorer this season with 33 goals across all competitions. Arsenal, on the other hand, welcomes back midfielder Thomas Partey from suspension, which will enhance their chances of overturning the deficit.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta acknowledged the challenge ahead, stating, "If you want to be in the Champions League final, you have to do something special. We’re going to have to do something special in Paris to be there." The Gunners will need to channel their historic resilience, as they seek to reach the Champions League final for only the second time in their history, having last appeared in 2006.
As both matches unfold, fans will be on the edge of their seats, eagerly anticipating which teams will advance to the prestigious final in Munich. With the stakes higher than ever, the drama of European football is set to reach new heights in the coming days. The stage is set for an unforgettable night of football, as Inter and Barcelona prepare to battle for glory, while PSG and Arsenal gear up for their own high-stakes encounter.
In conclusion, the Champions League semi-finals are not just about the glory of winning; they encapsulate the very essence of football—passion, determination, and the relentless pursuit of excellence. As the clock ticks down to kick-off, one thing is certain: the excitement is palpable, and the outcome remains uncertain.
