Official Starting Lineups – Barcelona vs Inter Milan: Denzel Dumfries & Marcus Thuram Start | OneFootball

Inter Milan coach Simone Inzaghi has decided to start Denzel Dumfries and Marcus Thuram against Barcelona. This evening’s Champions League semi-final first leg clash kicks off at 21.00 CET at Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys.

Indeed, they have lost three successive matches without scoring, making for bleak reading ahead of this European blockbuster.

Furthermore, Barcelona have been nearly unplayable in 2025, losing just once in 29 competitive outings.

Therefore, head coach Simone Inzaghi has decided to name the strongest starting eleven amid a subsiding injury crisis.

Denzel Dumfries & Marcus Thuram Are Finally Back

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – JANUARY 02: Denzel Dumfries of FC Internazionale celebrates scoring his team’s second goal during the Italian Super Cup Semi-Final match between FC Internazionale and Atalanta at Al Awwal Park on January 02, 2025 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Abdullah Ahmed/Getty Images)

Firstly, the big news on the team sheet is the return of Denzel Dumfries.

Indeed, the Dutch wingback has regained full fitness and will start on the left wing.

Then, in goal Yann Sommer retains his place between the sticks ahead of Josep Martinez.

In defense, meanwhile, it is the trio of Yann Bisseck, Francesco Acerbi, and Alessandro Bastoni. Then, Benjamin Pavard is out with an ankle injury.

On the left flank, meanwhile, Federico Dimarco keeps his place in the starting lineup despite an underwhelming performance against Roma.

Meanwhile, Denzel Dumfries is back, meaning Matteo Darmian drops to the bench.

Moreover, in midfield, Nicolo Barella moves into a box-to-box midfield role. Therefore, Hakan Calhanoglu and Henrikh Mkhitaryan complete the trio.

After failing to impress against Roma, Davide Frattesi returns to the bench as the Armenian gets the nod in midfield.

Lastly, Lautaro Martinez and Marcus Thuram lead the line. As such, Marko Arnautovic remains on the bench. The same goes for Mehdi Taremi.

In addition to Pavard, Joaquin Correa is not in contention after being omitted from Inter’s UEFA list.

Official Starting Lineups – Barcelona vs Inter Milan: Dumfries & Thuram Start

MILAN, ITALY – MARCH 11: Marcus Thuram of FC Internazionale celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Round of 16 Second Leg match between FC Internazionale Milano and Feyenoord at Stadio San Siro on March 11, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

BARCELONA (4-2-3-1): Szczesny; Koundé, Cubarsí, Iñigo Martinez, Martin; De Jong, Pedri; Yamal, Dani Olmo, Raphinha; Ferran Torres. Bench: Iñaki Peña, Kochen, Araujo, Garcia, Christensen, Fort, Pablo Torre, Gavi, Fermin Lopez, Pau Victor, Ansu Fati. Coach: Flick. Suspended: none. Unavailable: Balde, Lewandowski, Casadó, Bernal.

INTER (3-5-2): Sommer; Bisseck, Acerbi, Bastoni; Dumfries, Barella, Calhanoglu, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Thuram, Lautaro. Bench: Martinez, Di Gennaro, De Vrij, Re Cecconi, Carlos Augusto, Darmian, Zalewski, Asllani, Frattesi, Zielinski, Taremi, Arnauotivc. Coach: Inzaghi. Suspended: none. Unavailable: Pavard.