The thrilling 3-3 draw between Barcelona and Inter Milan was a match filled with breathtaking moments and spectacular goals, highlighting Barcelona’s ability to compete with Europe’s elite clubs.
Earning a 2-2 result in the Champions League semi-final against such a formidable opponent was a testament to the team’s fighting spirit, technical quality, and unwavering commitment to an attacking brand of football. It was a hard-earned draw that reflected both resilience and determination from the Spanish side.
However, alongside the excitement came tactical setbacks. Barcelona’s coach, Hansi Flick, made a crucial strategic error that greatly influenced the early part of the match.
Despite the team’s recovery later on, Flick privately admitted that his defensive approach in the first half had failed. He assured his staff that this particular mistake would not be repeated in the second leg of the semi-final.
A significant part of the issue was Flick’s decision to start Gerard Martin at left-back, repeating a move he made during the Copa del Rey final against Real Madrid. While Martin had previously impressed, the high stakes of a Champions League semi-final proved to be a different challenge entirely.
From the very beginning, doubts surrounded this choice, and it quickly became clear that Inter intended to target Barcelona’s right flank. The Italian side took advantage of this weakness, racing to a two-goal lead within the first 30 minutes of play.
Martin’s limited experience in such a crucial fixture was evident, and despite his effort and work rate, the match’s pressure visibly affected his performance. Inter exploited the defensive disorganization, making it difficult for Barcelona to maintain structure and stability at the back.
Realizing the danger, Flick acted decisively at the start of the second half. He introduced key substitutions and made tactical changes that strengthened the team defensively.
Ronald Araújo shifted to central defense beside Pau Cubarsí, while Iñigo Martínez was brought in at left-back—a role he had filled effectively during extra time against Real Madrid. These adjustments succeeded in curbing Inter’s dominance on that side and restored defensive order.
Barcelona’s improved display in the second half somewhat compensated for the earlier mistakes, but the message within the club was clear: Gerard Martin would not start the crucial return leg at the Giuseppe Meazza.
Flick, known for holding himself accountable, recognized trusting an inexperienced player in such a vital match was a significant oversight. With Alejandro Balde still unavailable, the coaching staff agreed there could be no room for risk if Barcelona intended to reach the final.
Leave a Reply