Braida reassuring to Inter for Champions League semi final: ‘Barcelona are beatable’ | OneFootball

Former Barcelona and Milan director Ariedo Braida believes Inter can get reach the Champions League Final. ‘Barcelona are beatable.’

We are down to the final four in the biggest UEFA club tournament, as Arsenal take on Paris Saint-Germain in one semi-final, while Inter take on the Blaugrana in the other.

Ahead of the first leg at the Olimpic Lluis Companys stadium on April 30, Radio Anch’Io Sport spoke to ex-Milan and Barca director Braida to ask for his views on the competition.

Braida believes Inter can get past Barcelona

BARCELONA, SPAIN – JANUARY 29: Raphinha of FC Barcelona runs with the ball whilst under pressure from Davide Zappacosta of Atalanta during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD8 match between FC Barcelona and Atalanta BC at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on January 29, 2025 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

“In my day, Barcelona were a tremendous team. Now they are a good side, but they are beatable,” replied Braida.

“Their defence is not that difficult to overcome. However, in attack they can boast the quality of some extraordinary players, they can invent something out of nowhere in the most difficult moment.”

Some of that power is likely to be missing for at least the first leg, as Robert Lewandowski has been diagnosed with a hamstring injury that should keep him out of action for circa three weeks.

Inter reached the semi-final for the second time in three years by eliminating Bayern Munich 4-3 on aggregate.

The Nerazzurri have conceded only five goals in 12 Champions League matches this season, while Barcelona let in 17.

Braida was director of sport at Barcelona in 2015, then acted as their chief scout until 2019, but he is currently the vice-president of Ravenna.