Barcelona vs Inter Milan – Combined XI | OneFootball

Barcelona and Inter Milan collide in the Champions League tonight in a clash between two heavyweight European sides.

A place in the final is up for grabs, with the stakes high ahead of the first leg in Spain. Both teams are stacked with talent, but who makes the cut in our Combined XI?

Goalkeeper: Yann Sommer – Inter Milan

Inter Milan have been mightily shrewd in the market in recent seasons, snapping up low-cost gems and bargain Bosman deals. Yann Sommer was an astute addition, costing just £5m from Bayern Munich. The veteran shot-stopper was named in the Serie A Team of the Season last year after helping Inter to the Scudetto. Simeone Inzaghi’s side led Europe’s top five leagues for clean sheets.

Right-back: Jules Kounde – Barcelona

Koude might view himself as a centre-back but the Frenchman has embraced a full-back role in Catalonia. Defensively, he’s excellent one-against-one and offers a combination of physical presence and assurance in possession. A brilliant winner in last weekend’s Copa del Rey final proved he can threaten going forward when required.

Centre-back: Pau Cubarsi – Barcelona

An absolute gem. La Masia stands as an unrivalled talent factory and Pau Cubarsi is part of a hugely exciting batch to emerge of late. At just 18, Cubarasi is already established for club and country. Brave on and off the ball, he can be the pillar of the Barcelona backline for the next decade.

Centre-back: Alessandro Bastoni – Inter Milan

The lynchpin of the Inter Milan defence and a crucial cog in Inzaghi’s system. Bastoni’s ability to bring the ball out from the back with confidence and penetrate lines with his passing allows Inter to build. Combined with a towering presence and dangerous deliveries from deep areas when marauding forward, Bastoni’s attributes are admired across Europe.

Left-back: Federico Dimarco – Inter Milan

Federico Dimarco and Inter’s wing-back system are a match made in heaven. The Italian is at his best when given licence to bomb on, with Di Marcio’s wicked deliveries and goal threat a real weapon for the Nerazzurri. He’s been directly involved in 22 league goals since the start of last season.

Midfield: Frenkie de Jong – Barcelona

For all the talk of a potential exit in recent windows, Barcelona will be glad Frenkie de Jong is still around. The Dutchman is the perfect pivot at the base of the club’s midfield, full of composure and quality. De Jong barely misplaces a pass and is able to beat a press with dribbles through traffic. He’s the ideal conduit to move the ball from back to front.

Midfield: Pedri – Barcelona

Given the abundance of whizzkids in Catalonia, it’s easy to forget that Pedri is still just 22. It’s even easier to forget when watching him this season, a midfielder who is enjoying a coming-of-age campaign. Pedri’s performances have matured to a level in 2024/25 that just might make him the best midfielder in the world.

Midfield: Nicolo Barella – Inter Milan

The beating heart of the Inter Milan side, Barella can be a box-to-box force of nature when at his best. Named in the Serie A Team of the Season in six straight seasons, it’s an indication of the esteem he’s held in Italy. If Inter are to progress from this tie, he’ll have to play a big role.

Right-wing: Lamine Yamal – Barcelona

Lamine Yamal is the sort of talent who only emerges every 25 years.

As the Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo era comes to a close, Yamal is arguably the brightest young talent aiming to replace that duo as the best on the planet. At 17, he’s producing a level rarely – if ever – seen before from someone so young. It’s crazy to think he’s still young enough to be playing for Barcelona’s Youth League side.

Left-wing: Raphinha – Barcelona

Raphinha has his sights set on the Ballon d’Or and a devastating Champions League campaign could lead to that honour. He has 19 goals and assists in Europe this season, more than any other player. Just months ago, he was heavily linked with leaving the Spanish side. Raphinha is irreplaceable now.

Forward: Lautaro Martinez – Inter Milan

Inter Milan’s record goalscorer in this competition and a talismanic presence for the Italian champions.

Martinez has scored in five consecutive Champions League games heading into this tie. The Argentina international has reached 20+ goals in four consecutive club campaigns and is now Inter’s record overseas scorer. At 27, that’s quite the feat.

Read – Every footballer to play for both Barcelona and Inter Milan

See more – Barcelona vs Inter Milan – Match preview and team news

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