Latest news with #NicolòBarella
Asharq Al-Awsat
3 days ago
- Business
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Inter Milan Feels Pain of Another Champions League Final Defeat but Pride Remains
Inter Milan's heroics against Barcelona make its record Champions League final defeat to Paris Saint-Germain all the more disappointing for the Nerazzurri. Inter staged an improbable comeback to beat Barcelona 7-6 over two pulsating semifinal legs. But there was no sign of that audacity or confidence on Saturday in Munich, where PSG romped to a 5-0 victory for the biggest winning margin in a European Cup final. "It shouldn't overshadow the season we've had. You just need to think of the journey we've been on in the Champions League," said Inter president Giuseppe Marotta, whose team also knocked out Feyenoord and Bayern Munich. Inter suffered its second defeat in the final in three years after losing the 2023 showpiece to Manchester City in Lisbon. Inter was eyeing a possible treble after getting past Bayern in the quarterfinals. But it was beaten by city rival AC Milan in the semifinals of the Italian Cup, then lost the Serie A title by a point to Napoli last week. "The image that remains cancels a bit the great season that we have had," Inter midfielder Nicolò Barella said after the latest disappointment. "Because unfortunately, in life, as in soccer, what happens last is what we are left with." That impression was one of a team that simply failed to match PSG's early intensity. PSG players looked sharper and hungrier, while Inter players gave the ball away with passes that failed to reach their intended recipient. Inter 'keeper Yann Sommer kicked the ball out of play twice early. It was no surprise when Achraf Hakimi broke the deadlock against his former side. Hakimi didn't celebrate but the PSG fans did. Their party was just beginning. Désiré Doué scored twice, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia ended the game as a contest, and Senny Mayulu completed the rout three minutes after going on as a substitute. "They were stronger than us in everything, tactically, in their determination, they wanted it more, so we have to congratulate the opponents," Barella said. "At times, blows like this happen, you need to get back up, roll up your sleeves and try to take Inter back up to where it deserves to be." Marcus Thuram had Inter's best chances, going close with a header in the first half, then forcing a good save from the otherwise untroubled Gianluigi Donnarumma in the 75th. There was no spirited comeback, no spectacular "remontada" as against Barcelona. "We didn't play a great final," Inter coach Simone Inzaghi said. "That said, I've thanked the players for this season, and I'm proud to be their coach. It's disappointing, but it doesn't erase what we've done." Inzaghi said it was too soon to speak about his future as coach. His team next plays at FIFA's Club World Cup in the United States. Barella referred to getting to two Champions League finals in three years and exceeding expectations in recent seasons. "We had a lot of games like against Bayern, like against Barcelona, where we said the heart mattered much more than the tactics," he added. "Today, unfortunately, we lacked an important quality." Inter announced before the game that its former club president, Ernesto Pellegrini, died aged 84.
Associated Press
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Associated Press
Inter Milan feels pain of another Champions League final defeat but pride remains
MUNICH (AP) — Inter Milan's heroics against Barcelona make its record Champions League final defeat to Paris Saint-Germain all the more disappointing for the Nerazzurri. Inter staged an improbable comeback to beat Barcelona 7-6 over two pulsating semifinal legs. But there was no sign of that audacity or confidence on Saturday in Munich, where PSG romped to a 5-0 victory for the biggest winning margin in a European Cup final. 'It shouldn't overshadow the season we've had. You just need to think of the journey we've been on in the Champions League,' said Inter president Giuseppe Marotta, whose team also knocked out Feyenoord and Bayern Munich. Inter suffered its second defeat in the final in three years after losing the 2023 showpiece to Manchester City in Lisbon. 'The image that remains cancels a bit the great season that we have had,' Inter midfielder Nicolò Barella said. 'Because unfortunately, in life, as in soccer, what happens last is what we are left with.' That impression was one of a team that simply failed to match PSG's early intensity. PSG players looked sharper and hungrier, while Inter players gave the ball away with passes that failed to reach their intended recipient. Inter 'keeper Yann Sommer kicked the ball out of play twice early. It was no surprise when Achraf Hakimi broke the deadlock against his former side. Hakimi didn't celebrate but the PSG fans did. Their party was just beginning. Désiré Doué scored twice, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia ended the game as a contest, and Senny Mayulu completed the rout three minutes after going on as a substitute. 'They were stronger than us in everything, tactically, in their determination, they wanted it more, so we have to congratulate the opponents,' Barella said. 'At times, blows like this happen, you need to get back up, roll up your sleeves and try to take Inter back up to where it deserves to be.' Marcus Thuram had Inter's best chances, going close with a header in the first half, then forcing a good save from the otherwise untroubled Gianluigi Donnarumma in the 75th. There was no spirited comeback, no spectacular 'remontada' as against Barcelona. 'We didn't play a great final,' Inter coach Simone Inzaghi said. 'That said, I've thanked the players for this season, and I'm proud to be their coach. It's disappointing, but it doesn't erase what we've done.' Barella referred to getting to two finals in three years and exceeding expectations in recent years. 'We had a lot of games like against Bayern, like against Barcelona, where we said the heart mattered much more than the tactics,' he added. 'Today, unfortunately, we lacked an important quality.' Inter announced before the game that its former club president, Ernesto Pellegrini, died aged 84. ___ AP soccer:
Business Upturn
06-05-2025
- Sport
- Business Upturn
Inter Milan vs Barcelona: Key players to watch in the UEFA Champions League semi-final
The UEFA Champions League semi-final second-leg clash between Inter Milan and FC Barcelona is set to be a thrilling encounter, with both teams vying for a spot in the final. After a 3-3 draw in the first leg, the stakes couldn't be higher for both clubs as they prepare for the decisive showdown at the iconic San Siro on Tuesday. Here's a look at the key players who could make the difference in this high-stakes match. 1. Nicolò Barella (Inter Milan – Midfield) Barella is a dynamic and influential midfielder, key to Inter's control of the game. His work rate, creativity, and ability to disrupt opposing attacks will be crucial in neutralizing Barcelona's midfield threats. 2. Lautaro Martínez (Inter Milan – Forward) Martínez is a prolific goal scorer and Inter's primary attacking threat. His movement and finishing ability will be vital in breaking down Barcelona's defense. 3. Pedri (Barcelona – Midfield) Pedri's ability to orchestrate play and pick out key passes makes him one of Barcelona's most dangerous players. His vision and technique are essential for breaking through Inter's defensive lines. 4. Lamine Yamal (Barcelona – Forward) A breakout talent for Barcelona, Yamal's pace and dribbling make him a constant threat on the wing. His creativity and flair will be important in unlocking Inter's defensive setup. Aman Shukla is a post-graduate in mass communication . A media enthusiast who has a strong hold on communication ,content writing and copy writing. Aman is currently working as journalist at
Forbes
04-05-2025
- Sport
- Forbes
Why Inter Need Nicolò Barella's Best To Beat Barcelona In UCL Clash
Nicolò Barella in action against Barcelona (Photo by Maciej Rogowski/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty ... More Images) After the first leg of the UEFA Champions League semi-final ended in a thrilling 3-3 draw, Barcelona travel to San Siro for Tuesday's return encounter, where hosts Inter will hope Nicolò Barella can help them reach the final. The midfielder was rested this weekend, sitting out Saturday's 1-0 win over Hellas Verona that kept up pressure on Serie A leaders Napoli. Now three points behind Antonio Conte's men with just three games to play, there is a very real possibility that Inter end the season without a trophy. Out of the Coppa Italia and trailing in the title race, the Nerazzurri have admitted that it's possible skipper Lautaro Martinez will fail to recover from a muscle injury in time to face Barca. That will place a greater reliance on other players, including Barella who remains their best and most effective threat in midfield. With the team in a somewhat barren run, Inter supporters would love to see the 28-year-old making a trademark surge into the box and bag a crucial goal. They have seen him do so numerous times since he joined the Milanese giants from Cagliari back in 2019. Indeed, Barella has scored 18 goals in 201 Serie A appearances for Inter, while chipping in with no fewer than 38 assists as he constantly causes problems for opponents. So far this term he has scored three times and added six assists, with his underlying stats showing just how much impetus he gives Inter's attacking play. According to Barella creates 4.02 shots per 90 mins for his side, a figure placing him in the 94th percentile among midfielders in Europe's top five leagues. The same source shows that he sits in the 91st percentile for progressive passes received per 90 (4.32), the 94th percentile for progressive passes made (8.05) and the 89th percentile for progressive carries (2.34). Back in December, that form saw Barella named to the Serie A Team of the Year for the sixth time, moving ahead of Juventus pair Gigi Buffon and Giorgio Chiellini for most selections for that honour. However, if he is to have a similar impact against Barcelona, Barella will need to end a long streak of scoreless Champions League appearances. Having scored in both legs of the 2022/23 quarterfinals, he has since gone 22 games in UEFA's elite competition without finding the back of the net. Earlier that season he scored a superb goal against Barca at Camp Nou as well (see above) and helped Inter reach their first Champions League Final since the treble-winning 2009/10 campaign. Simone Inzaghi and Nerazzurri supporters will be hoping to repeat that feat by eliminating Barcelona on Tuesday, and the first leg last week showed just how important Barella will be to that quest. In a display that saw the Corriere dello Sport describe him as 'the heart and soul of a vibrant Nerazzurri,' Barella made 22 ball recoveries, had four successful take-ons and was directly involved in the opening goal as he pass gave Denzel Dumfries time and space to cross for Marcus Thuram. Blessed to have one of the most accomplished midfielders in the world at their disposal, Inter will certainly need the best of Nicolò Barella to help them overcome Barcelona and reach another Champions League Final.
New York Times
29-04-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Champions League semi-final betting: Have Inter finally met their match in Barcelona?
For more stories like this click here to follow The Athletic's sports betting section and have them added to your feed. The Champions League semi-finals represent one of the most exciting parts of the footballing calendar. They typically offer frenetic, enthralling matchups between elite teams, with the two-legged element adding incredible drama – Barcelona vs Internazionale has all the ingredients to live up to that billing. Advertisement Let's look at this titanic tussle through a betting lens, exploring the market for the best value wagers along the way. A fortnight in football can feel like an awfully long time. Rewind 14 days, and Inter had just beaten Bayern Munich 4-3 on aggregate in the quarter-finals, defending their box bravely in stoppage time to seal an emotional victory. As the final whistle sounded, roars bellowed from the terraces and the pitch alike. They had a Coppa Italia semi-final against arch-rivals AC Milan to look forward to, while they were also top of Serie A. Life was good. Perhaps, in hindsight, that staunch stand against Bayern took too much out of the Nerazzurri, as since that night, fortunes have spiralled. From that point on, they've done nothing but lose. Bologna defeated them 1-0 thanks to a crushing 93rd-minute goal, Milan washed them away 3-0 in the cup, and Roma beat them 1-0 on Sunday. This run – and the exhausted, bewildered looks on the players' faces throughout it – has no doubt shaped Inter's odds to win away to Barcelona, which look pretty close to long shot territory. Just a fortnight ago, they'd have been considered a much better match for La Blaugrana, and rightly so. Barça are priced as pretty clear favourites and the form book suggests that's fair. It should be noted, though, that they'll be nursing their own fitness concerns, as they needed 120 minutes to beat Real Madrid 3-2 in a thrilling, heated Copa del Rey final on Saturday. Inter may be tired, but that hasn't stopped them from creating plenty of chances in games. Against Milan, in the Coppa, they fashioned and then missed three big chances, per Fotmob, while firing off double the amount of shots (16) than their opponents (eight). Then, against Roma, Denzel Dumfries and Nicolò Barella missed presentable chances in a game where the Nerazzurri totalled up 1.1 xG. Advertisement At some point, for a team packed with this much quality – particularly in the forward areas – those chances will start going in again. Their strong variety in buildup play means they will be able to work the ball through Barcelona's pressing attempts and service Lautaro Martínez with opportunities – and in a big game, the Argentine usually delivers. The same can be said for Barça, who will be missing Robert Lewandowski due to a hamstring injury, but showed against Madrid last weekend that that's no barrier to scoring goals. Ferran Torres is an able deputy, but the onus will fall on Raphinha and Lamine Yamal, who have netted 44 goals between them in all competitions this season. The pair will stretch and pull Inter's back line, running in behind often and forcing the outside centre-backs of Simone Inzaghi's back three to defend awkward, difficult scenarios. Judging by the soft goals they have conceded during this recent collapse in form – set pieces, poorly cleared balls and attacking runs off the centre-backs have all been problems – it's tough to see the visitors holding out. From a betting perspective, you can attack this in a number of ways. Barcelona to win and over 1.5 goals is priced at ⅘, which is a nice way of lengthening the odds of a home victory. Barça to win and both teams to score looks good value at 15/8, while the Betfair odds boost for Raphinha and Martínez to each land a shot on target at evens is very intriguing. Inter's 1-0 loss to Roma wasn't all doom and gloom. They welcomed right-wing-back Dumfries back from injury after six weeks out, just in time for this Wednesday's semi-final clash. The Dutchman is a hugely important player for Inzaghi, as his wing-back role isn't particularly normal: He surges into the box and crashes the back post constantly – in his head, he seems to think he's a striker – creating confusion, forcing loose balls and just generally wreaking havoc for the opponent. He's typically at the centre of a lot of what Inter do that's dangerous, and that's particularly pertinent to this fixture, given Barcelona's first-choice left-back, Alejandro Baldé, will miss the game due to a hamstring injury. In his place, Gerard Martín will try his best to contain Dumfries – but will no doubt struggle with the assignment. Advertisement The Inter man is 9/2 to score anytime or 7/2 to score or assist anytime. Given most of the big guns – Yamal, Raphinha, Martínez and Dani Olmo – are priced at around evens to score, Dumfries represents a nice outside value bet. Betting/Odds links in this article are provided by partners of The Athletic. Restrictions may apply. The Athletic maintains full editorial independence. Partners have no control over or input into the reporting or editing process and do not review stories before publication. (Photo of Lamine Yamal: Fran Santiago / Getty Images)
