Barcelona 3–3 Inter Milan Player Ratings: Denzel Dumfries and Lamine Yamal Star in an Entertaining Draw in the First Leg of UCL Semis

Barcelona and Inter Milan play out a highly entertaining 3-3 draw at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys. The instant European classic had stellar performances from Denzel Dumfries, who scored a brace and assisted once, and Lamine Yamal, who battled single-handedly. In a game billed as a free-flowing attack vs stern defence, both sides enjoyed periods of joy to serve a high-scoring thriller.

Inter Milan surged into a two-goal lead as Marcus Thuram scored the fastest goal in a Champions League semi-final. Denzel Dumfries doubled Inter Milan’s advantage from a corner before Barcelona started the comeback. The teen sensation Lamine Yamal became the youngest scorer in a semi-final as he curled one to reduce the arrears. Ferran Torres shortly made it 2-2 before the break.

There was no shortage of drama in the second half as Inter Milan took the lead for the third time. Dumfries scored his second of the game from a corner before Raphinah forced an equaliser for the third time. The Brazilian’s shot skimmed Sommer after striking the crossbar and went down as an own-goal. There were no more goals as the game ended 3-3 and went down as one of the most entertaining semis in the history of the competition. It leaves everything to be played for in the second leg in a week.

Barcelona were buzzing with excitement after their recent thrilling Copa del Rey triumph against Real Madrid. Hansi Flick didn’t find a reason to tinker with a winning lineup as he named the same eleven to take on Inter Milan. The German coach’s side were coming up against one of the best defensive blocks in Europe. It was a fine test for his side’s attacking capability. Ferran Torres was having the biggest test of his Barcelona career, having to lead the line in the absence of Robert Lewandowski. Lamine Yamal and Raphinha looked to continue their red-hot form.

Inter Milan were in their worst phase of their season. They were plagued by injuries at the back and suffered a terrible loss of form at the wrong time. They lost their first position in the league and lost a cup final as well. Up against Barcelona, their season could unravel within a fortnight if they couldn’t find some luck. Marcus Thuram was available for selection after recovering from his adductor troubles. Simone Inzaghi’s side has lost all three games Thuram missed without scoring a goal.

Inter Milan made the best start possible as they scored the fastest ever goal in a Champions League semifinal. The two returning players in the lineup combined to stun the hosts before the crowd barely settled into their seats after the kickoff. Jules Kounde casually cleared a Denzel Dumfries cross first time. The Dutch wing-back collected it again and fired in a sumptuous cross as Inigo Martinez slipped in the box, allowing Thuram to sneak past him and Pau Cubarsi to plant an audacious and innovative flick into the back of the net. He showed how sorely he was missed inside the opening 30 seconds.

Barcelona, who barely touched the ball, found themselves behind in the tie and had to react. They did so wonderfully by completely seizing possession over the next quarter or so. Their attack came into full flow with Yamal finding Torres, who narrowly found wide. However, it was Inter Milan who punished more lax defending from Barcelona next up. Gerard Martin lost his bearings while defending a corner as Francesco Acerbi towered over to lay off his header for Dumfries, who hammered home with an acrobatic volley.

Inter Milan couldn’t believe they were two up within the opening quarter. We had an instant European classic on our hands as Yamal took matters into his own hands. The second-ever youngest semifinal player in the competition won the ball on the right-hand side and danced past several defenders before opening his body up and curling his effort into the top left corner past Yann Sommer’s reach. He again threatened to equalise the game with a brilliant effort that was parried onto the post by Sommer.

It was Lamine Yamal vs Inter Milan as the 17-year-old caused Inter numerous problems. Despite being doubled up, he found easy passes and made light work of the defence. Inter Milan started to time-waste in the first half itself and were reduced to counters that Barcelona dealt with easily. Yamal’s inspired showing allowed his teammates to raise their level as Barcelona found their equaliser in the 38th minute.

Pedri pulled off a magical ball from the right-half space to find Raphinha in the box. The Brazilian peeled away from Yann Bisseck to lay it for Torres, who gave Acerbi the slip before burying it home from 5 yards out. Pedri deserved all the credit for the goal, as we ended up having 4 goals in the first half, with a chance for more. It was Raphinha’s 20th Champions League goal involvement this season as well, and he was just one shy of Cristiano Ronaldo’s record. However, Barcelona lost Copa del Rey hero Jules Kounde to an injury just before the interval, dealing them a crushing blow.

The referee’s whistle brought an end to an exciting first half of the semi-final that saw four goals being traded. Inter Milan were two for the good but failed to react as Yamal inspired Barcelona to a famous comeback. They were on the ropes even as they went into the break. If the first half was an indicator of things to come, we were in for another mouth-watering three halves of football coming soon.

Both sides opted for half-time substitutions to tweak things. Barcelona brought on Ronald Araujo at centre-back, whereas Inter’s hand was forced to replace the injured Lautaro Martinez with Mehdi Taremi. Inter Milan created the first good chance of the second half as Federico Dimarco missed a Bisseck cutback inside the box.

Barcelona soon took control again as Inter were reduced to counters. This time, the Nerazzurri had plenty of promising counterattacks and won a corner with one such break. Hakan Calhanoglu’s pinpoint corner found Dumfries in the box, who leapt easily above Dani Olmo to meet the cross. It bounced off his shoulder and looped over a hopeless Wojciech Szczesny, who was stuck in no man’s land. Inter Milan took the lead for a third time, but did a worse job of keeping it this time.

The lead barely lasted a minute as Barcelona found a reply from a corner as well. Olmo rolled it on the ground as Yamal dummied it into Raphinha’s path. The Brazilian struck it with venom on his left foot from 25 yards out. The ball thundered off the crossbar and went into the back of the net after hitting Sommer on its way down. The tie kept on giving as we could barely guess what would happen next.

All the heavy hitting for 80 minutes took a toll on these teams as they slowed down when tiring legs started to show. The quality was there on show, but that extra bit of desire was missing. They began to think about the second leg and settling scores there.

Barcelona ended their strong run of form with a proper draw against a European heavyweight. They will be confident of getting the job done in Italy next week to make it to the finals. But they must improve defensively if they have to stand a chance. They face bottom-of-the-barrel Real Valladolid in the league on the weekend to continue their pursuit of a treble.

Inter Milan arrest the slide in form with a well-earned draw in the first leg. They will bank on home comforts and the powers of San Siro to get the better of a Barcelona to make it to a second Champions League final in 3 years. They entertain Hellas Verona at home in the league next.

Here are the player ratings for Barcelona vs Inter Milan.

Barcelona Player Ratings

GK- Wojciech Szczesny- 5.5/10

He was beaten by a very smart finish from Thuram and stood no chance as Dumfries hammered home from close range. Barely had anything else to do as his side took charge. Was in no man’s land for the third goal.

RB- Jules Kounde- 6/10

Showed his recovery pace at times to make some lovely tackles. Offered himself as support to Yamal in the attack as well. An unfortunate injury cut his evening short as he was replaced before the half-time.

CB- Pau Cubarsi- 6/10

The youngster failed to keep up with Thuram as he made a good run off his shoulder to open the scoring. Influential in ball playing as always. Showed great recovery defending in the second half.

CB- Inigo Martinez- 6/10

Had a tragic slip as he failed to react to Dumfries’ cross coming in for the opener. Showed some authority later on as they played a high line and squeezed the ball. Shifted to left back in the second half as Araujo took over.

LB- Gerard Martin- 5/10

Had a hard time keeping up with Dumfried on his flank and was leapt over too easily by Acerbi for the second goal. It was a tactical mismatch that he was marking Acerbi on corners. He was replaced by Ronald Araujo at halftime.

CM- Frenkie de Jong- 6.5/10

Shied away from the duel in the build-up to Inter’s opener. Recovered well and continued his good form with some smart passes that helped Barcelona recycle possession and keep pressure on Inter’s goal.

CM- Pedri- 8/10

Failed to challenge Dumfries as he fired in the second goal, but made up for it with ball playing. His pass created the second goal out of nothing as he found Raphinha magically.

RW- Lamine Yamal- 8.5/10

The 17-year-old played like a man possessed to get his side back into the game from the dead. Opened the scoring with a beautiful run and finish past several white shirts in the box to become the youngest to score in the semis. His creativity was oozing as he skinned Dimarco and created chances for fun.

CAM- Daniel Olmo- 6.5/10

Positioned himself on the edge of the box, knowing that service would come his way either from the wingers or from the midfield. Had a good chance that he just managed to roll wide of the target. Failed to check Dumfries for the third goal while marking him.

LW- Raphinha- 8/10

A personal best 8th assist of the campaign put a simple finish for Ferran to equalise the game. He came close to scoring a couple as well, with Inter putting their bodies on the line. A fantastic effort on goal forced the own goal from Sommer as he drew level yet again.

ST- Ferran Torres- 7.5/10

Missed an early chance in the game when it was 1-0. But he kept on trying and got his reward with a simple finish after being set up by Raphinha.

SUB- Eric Garcia- 6/10

Thrown into the deep end to play at right-back for Kounde with little notice. Did his job well.

SUB- Ronald Araujo- 6/10

Imposed himself on the game well and brought much-needed physicality into Barcelona’s backline.

SUB- Fermin Lopez- 6/10

SUB- Gavi- 6/10

SUB- Andreas Christensen- 6/10

Manager- Hansi Flick- 6/10

His side went two goals down after some bizarre defensive lapses. But credit to him for backing them to play their natural way. The attacking flair he nurtured paid off as they found level even before the first half ended. Set-piece defending will worry him as they conceded silly goals.

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Inter Milan Player Ratings

GK- Yann Sommer- 6/10

One of his better performances despite conceding twice in the first half. Made so many crucial saves, parries, and claims to keep the dangerous Catalans out. It was unfortunate as the ball ricocheted off him for the third goal.

CB- Yann Bisseck- 6/10

Had a horror moment when he lost Raphinha in the box as Barcelona equalised. He had some good opportunities to join the attack and create some chances later on.

CB- Francesco Acerbi- 6.5/10

Had some good moments in both boxes as he assisted Dumfries from a corner. He was also guilty of losing Ferran as he tapped home from close range.

CB- Alessandro Bastoni- 6/10

He was in Yamal’s eyesight when he danced through for the first goal, but was nowhere close to putting a block on him. His usual composed ball playing was missing on the night.

RWB- Denzel Dumfries- 9.5/10

Showcased how good his attacking talents are when he picked up an assist with a delicious cross. Even scored an acrobatic volley and a fantastic header to be involved in all three goals for his side.. Had his iffy moments defensively but recovered well.

CM- Nicolo Barella- 6.5/10

All of his talents were pretty much used in defence as he had to relentlessly keep running back to cover the passing lanes. Rarely had the chance to break free.

CM- Hakan Calhanoglu- 7/10

Sat the deepest in the midfield and orchestrated his teammates into covering spaces to deny the hosts some joy in the middle of the park. Picked up an assist from a corner.

CM- Henrikh Mkhitaryan- 7/10

Offered a helping hand to Dimarco to deal with Yamal multiple times. His side used his bite to keep clearing the opportunities. A beautiful piece of skill left him dumbstruck as Yamal danced past him for the first goal.

LWB- Federico Dimarco- 5.5/10

Lamine Yamal tormented him as he cut inside onto his left foot to create chance after chance. Missed a huge chance in the second half and was replaced shortly.

ST- Marcus Thuram- 7.5/10

Just took 30 seconds to prove his worth in the Inter Milan lineup. Scored such a good goal with an improvised flick. Kept asking questions at the counter.

ST- Lautaro Martinez- 5/10

The most anonymous player on the pitch in the first half, as he barely saw the ball. Failed to fall back and help his side in winning the ball back as well. Was replaced at halftime citing an injury concern.

SUB- Mehdi Taremi- 6/10

SUB- Carlos Augusto- 6/10

SUB- Davide Frattesi- 6/10

SUB- Matteo Darmian- 6/10

SUB- Piotr Zielinski- 6/10

Manager- Simone Inzaghi- 6/10

It looked like his side had turned a page as they stormed into a two-goal lead. But it was a false dawn as they collapsed uncharacteristically. The attack was barely functioning in the second half as they completely depended on creativity from wider areas.

Sportsdunia’s Player of the Match goes to: Denzel Dumfries

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