CL Semi Final: Barca - Inter

[serghei]

Who did Barca beat this season

Madrid, Atletico, Bayern, Dortmund. More difficult teams than Inter faced.

With Inter, I don't know why people ignore the derbies in Serie A.

They didn't manage to beat any of Milan and Juventus in something like 5 games this season despite these teams being in a weak period. Guess what, they didn't beat Napoli either in 2 games in Serie A this season.

So it's 7 games vs the biggest clubs in that Serie A league and they have 0 wins in 7 games this season.

 

[Temptation]

Madrid, Atletico, Bayern, Dortmund. More difficult teams than Inter faced.

Funny. When Liverpool beat Madrid it doesn't count as a "top opponent". When Inter beat Bayern over 2 legs it doesn't count. When Inter beat Arsenal, excuses are provided.

Dortmund are midtable in the Bundesliga. Even Xavi as a manager could beat Atletico. Current Real Madrid eliminated Atletico.

Interesting how the goalposts move according to the narrative.

 

[serghei]

Funny. When Liverpool beat Madrid it doesn't count as a "top opponent". When Inter beat Bayern over 2 legs it doesn't count.

Dortmund are midtable in the Bundesliga. Even Xavi as a manager could beat Atletico. Current Real Madrid eliminated Atletico.

Interesting how the goalposts move according to the narrative.

No goalposts move.

Inter has 0 wins in 6 Serie A games vs the biggest clubs in that league. 0 wins, 4 draws, 2 losses (vs Juve and Milan). Don't have to highlight just how bad that record is.

 

[MonteCuler]

Last season Inter was knocked out by Atletico

This season, Atletico has significantly improved with some new signings too and in total we put 10 goals past them

@Temptation this is an example

Inter is a good and very complete team but they should not be overrated. They don't have the role of favourites in this matchup but no doubt they can win it if some external factors kick in

 

[Tyler]

Honestly, if I were a neutral both ties are very cagey tactical matchups - I just hope the quality of the football will match how it looks on paper

Arsenal-Inter has the makings of a very boring final. I hope at least one of PSG or Barcelona (preferably as my girlfriend is Catalan and a big fan) make it to the final.

I predict Barcelona vs Arsenal.

 

[serghei]

We have lost before in situations we were considered favorites in, so I don't see what the big fuss is to be positive in this tie considering we look like we have the tools to beat Inter.

Doesn't mean we will. We could have a bad game, Inter could play an inspired semifinal... anything can happen. But based on what we know this season, we look good for the final.

 

[Temptation]

Last season Inter was knocked out by Atletico

This season, Atletico has significantly improved with some new signings too and in total we put 10 goals past them

@Temptation this is an example

Inter is a good and very complete team but they should not be overrated. They don't have the role of favourites in this matchup but no doubt they can win it if some external factors kick in

Who said Inter are favourites?

I'm just arguing against the narrative that Inter and Liverpool can't beat "top teams".

 

[JamDav1982]

I dont think many even see Barca as favourites and I would guess most pundits will favour Inter.

 

[MonteCuler]

No goalposts move.

Inter has 0 wins in 6 Serie A games vs the biggest clubs in that league. 0 wins, 4 draws, 2 losses (vs Juve and Milan). Don't have to highlight just how bad that record is.

Yep as much as I rate Serie A if they were better than us would have probably been winning it by now. They did show their weaknesses multiple times. Fiorentina, Parma, Milan derbies...

Now Napoli is close and has easier schedule with less matches so could easily snitch it from them

 

[serghei]

Who said Inter are favourites?

I'm just arguing against the narrative that Inter and Liverpool can't beat "top teams".

Who said that? All I want to highlight is that Inter didn't really impress much this season overall, and we should approach this tie knowing that if we are on our game, it is within our means to knock them out. Footballistically, we don't have to do much that we haven't done already, we just have to be brave and strong under pressure.

Even Leganes beat top teams this season.

 

[serghei]

I dont think many even see Barca as favourites and I would guess most pundits will favour Inter.

Don't pay much attention to pundits. You could see Inter as favorites based on experience, because they made a final in 2023, and it's the first semifinal for many of these players. They have an experience advantage. More mature players, more experience. More of a settled team. We have our advantages too.

What do you think for example? Confident in this tie or not?

 

[JamDav1982]

Don't pay much attention to pundits. You could see Inter as favorites based on experience, because they made a final in 2023, and it's our first semifinal for many of these players.

What do you think for example? Confident in this tie or not?

How are you judging whos opinion makes Barca favourites?

 

[serghei]

How are you judging whos opinion makes Barca favourites?

Obviously my own opinion is what I post. I consider us favorites and for me, going out vs this Inter based on what I've seen from us would be a surprise.

But I would like to hear your opinion. No games, or nothing, would be interesting to see your opinions about the key battles of this game and whatnot, because even though we argue a lot because we happen to like different players and managers at times, I agree with your opinions and your overall interpretation of the game.

 

[JamDav1982]

Dont think it would be a surprise even if would have Barca slight favs.

Also depends on how next few games look for both sides and energy have going into it.

 

[Tyler]

Obviously my own. I consider us favorites and for me, going out vs this Inter based on what I've seen from us would be a surprise.

If Bayern missing Musiala scored 3 against Inter over two games, and could have scored more, I don't see how Barcelona won't better that. In a one off game Inter could stink it out and get lucky, but two is different.