Frenkie de Jong's Barcelona faces its biggest challenge of the past six years on Wednesday evening in the Champions League semi-final against Inter Milan, according to media in Spain. Moreover, the Catalans have not forgotten the 2010 edition: they have a chance to take revenge on José Mourinho.
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For the first time in six years, Barcelona has returned to the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League a milestone that resonates deeply with fans, players, and the club's management alike.
The last time the Catalan giants reached this stage was in the 2018-2019 season, when they were heartbreakingly eliminated by Liverpool after a dramatic turnaround at Anfield. Despite a commanding 3-0 lead from the first leg at Camp Nou, Barça crumbled in the second leg, losing 4-0 in what became one of the most unforgettable comebacks in modern football history. Liverpool went on to lift the trophy, while Barcelona were left to pick up the pieces from yet another European disappointment.
Since then, the club has gone through a turbulent period, both on and off the pitch. The departure of key figures such as Lionel Messi, financial instability, managerial changes, and early exits from European competitions cast doubt over the club’s ability to compete at the highest level. However, under the leadership of Xavi Hernández, the team seems to be regaining its identity and competitive edge. The win over Internazionale this Wednesday felt like more than just a victory it symbolized a resurgence, a sign that Barça is slowly but surely clawing its way back to the European elite.
The match itself was a tense and tightly contested affair, played in front of a sold-out Camp Nou that buzzed with anticipation and nervous energy. Barcelona managed to edge out Inter 2-1, thanks to goals from Raphinha and João Félix, with Lautaro Martínez finding the net for the visitors. Frenkie de Jong, recently back from injury, was one of the standout performers. His presence in midfield brought composure and creativity, reinforcing his importance to Xavi’s tactical setup. The Dutchman had also played a pivotal role in Barça's Copa del Rey final victory over Real Madrid just days earlier, making his return to full fitness a timely boost.
Robert Lewandowski, however, was forced to watch from the stands. The Polish striker, who has been instrumental throughout the campaign, is still nursing a muscle injury. His absence was certainly felt, but Barcelona adapted well, with Ferran Torres and João Félix rotating through the central attacking role. Reports suggest Lewandowski is targeting a return for the second leg in Milan.
Beyond the result, the tie carried a powerful narrative weight, especially for the Barcelona faithful. Spanish media outlets, particularly Mundo Deportivo, emphasized the emotional significance of facing Inter again in the semi-finals a rematch 14 years in the making. The scars of the 2010 encounter remain vivid in Catalonia. Back then, José Mourinho’s Inter Milan stunned the footballing world by knocking out Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona, widely regarded as one of the greatest club teams of all time. The Italians won the first leg 3-1 at the San Siro, with Wesley Sneijder, Maicon, and Diego Milito on the scoresheet. Despite a narrow 1-0 loss at Camp Nou in the return leg, Inter advanced to the final, which they ultimately won against Bayern Munich.
That clash was remembered not only for the result, but also for Mourinho’s antics particularly his infamous celebration at the Camp Nou, where he sprinted across the pitch, arms raised, as Inter’s players battled a man down to cling onto their aggregate lead. For Barcelona supporters, it was a moment of humiliation and unfinished business. Now, in 2025, they’ve had a chance to respond and they took the first step with Wednesday’s win.
Mundo Deportivo also drew attention to strange coincidences linking the two eras. In 2010, a volcanic eruption in Iceland Eyjafjallajökull caused air travel disruption across Europe, forcing the Barça squad to undertake a grueling coach journey to Milan. This week, the Iberian Peninsula has been plagued by widespread power outages due to infrastructure failures, affecting transportation and logistics across Spain and Portugal. “Unusual conditions surround this tie once again,” the newspaper noted, hinting that destiny might be calling.
Xavi, who played in that 2010 semifinal as a central figure of Guardiola’s midfield, is now tasked with guiding a new generation through a similar challenge. Players like Gavi, Pedri, Balde, and Lamine Yamal represent the future, while veterans like Ter Stegen, De Jong, and Koundé provide the spine. The blend of youth and experience is beginning to click, and if the first leg was any indication, this Barcelona side is not merely surviving it's starting to believe again.
The second leg in Milan promises to be a dramatic affair. Inter will be desperate to overturn the deficit in front of their passionate home crowd, while Barcelona will aim to finish what they started and perhaps finally lay to rest the ghosts of 2010.
Updated: 11:19, 30 Apr 2025
