The UEFA Champions League semifinal second legs are upon us, promising thrilling encounters. On Tuesday, Inter Milan will host FC Barcelona at the San Siro following an exciting 3-3 draw in the first leg in Barcelona. Despite recent difficulties in Serie A, the Nerazzurri demonstrated during that match that qualifying for the final is well within their reach. The following day, Wednesday, will see PSG face Arsenal in Paris for their second leg, after the Parisians secured a narrow 1-0 victory in London last week.
For Simone Inzaghi`s Inter side, who trail Napoli by three points with just three league matches left, reaching the Champions League final could significantly alter their season`s outlook, potentially representing their best chance for silverware. This will be a tough test against one of Europe`s premier teams, Hansi Flick`s FC Barcelona, who have shown they are among the best and are currently pursuing a treble, having already won the Copa del Rey final against Real Madrid and holding a four-point lead in the league standings. The upcoming week includes another crucial clash for Barca against Real Madrid. As the outcomes for both Inter and Barcelona heavily depend on Tuesday`s fixture, PSG and Arsenal are also striving for what would be a memorable achievement by reaching the final. Here, we examine the key player from each of the four teams whose performance could prove decisive in these upcoming second-leg ties.
Marcus Thuram, Inter
The French forward was a vital figure for Inter in the first leg in Barcelona last week, scoring the opening goal just 30 seconds into the semifinal, making it the fastest goal in the history of the UEFA Champions League semifinals. Thuram recovered from a muscle injury that kept him sidelined for about two weeks just in time for the first leg. He immediately proved his importance, not only for Inter`s attacking setup but also for his strike partner, Lautaro Martinez. With the Inter captain Lautaro Martinez potentially unavailable due to a muscular injury sustained in the first leg, Thuram`s role becomes even more central for Inzaghi`s squad. Inter needs Thuram to be at his best if they hope to reach their second Champions League final in three seasons, after losing the 2023 final 1-0 to Manchester City in Istanbul. Thuram has had an excellent season so far, registering 14 goals and providing seven assists for his teammates.
Lamine Yamal, Barcelona
It might seem obvious, but Barcelona`s chances in the second leg of the semifinal are significantly tied to the performance of their standout player, Lamine Yamal. The young Spanish winger was outstanding in the first leg, which also marked his 100th appearance for Barcelona. In that match, he scored a spectacular goal, helping his team recover after conceding two goals. With uncertainty surrounding Polish striker Robert Lewandowski`s readiness for the starting lineup, much of the attacking responsibility will fall on Lamine Yamal and Raphinha. Having contributed 15 goals and 24 assists this season, this FC Barcelona team heavily relies on the contributions of their most gifted player.
Gianluigi Donnarumma, PSG
The Italian goalkeeper has been one of the top performers in the Champions League this season. The former AC Milan star made crucial saves in the round of 16 against Liverpool and subsequently against Aston Villa, particularly in the second leg in England. This strong form continued into the first leg against Arsenal, where he delivered another impressive display, reinforcing his status as one of Europe`s elite goalkeepers. PSG is still chasing their inaugural Champions League trophy, having lost the 2020 final to Bayern Munich, and their hopes will greatly depend on a strong performance from their starting goalkeeper, who has been exceptional throughout this campaign.
Martin Ødegaard, Arsenal
Mikel Arteta`s Arsenal had a disappointing result in the first leg in London, losing 1-0 to PSG, but the English side has an opportunity to stage a comeback in the return leg. A key factor in their potential recovery will be the performance of their captain, Martin Ødegaard. The Norwegian attacking midfielder possesses the creativity needed to unlock defenses and lead the team`s attack. He has already scored three goals in the Champions League this season and is expected to spearhead Arsenal`s efforts on Wednesday, alongside key players like English winger Bukayo Saka and midfielder Declan Rice.
