The 3-3 draw between Barcelona and Inter Milan delivered exciting moments and stunning goals, as Barcelona showcased its ability to compete with one of the strongest teams in Europe. Securing a 2-2 draw against Inter in the Champions League semi-finals is no easy feat, achieved thanks to the team’s character, quality, and clear commitment to an attacking style of play.
Despite the positives, the match was not without its shortcomings. Coach Hansi Flick made a tactical error early in the game that significantly impacted the first half. Although the team showed improvement afterward, the German coach privately acknowledged that his defensive decisions were unsuccessful and emphasized that he would not repeat them in the second leg.
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Flick chose to start Gerard Martin at left-back, just as he had done in the Copa del Rey final against Real Madrid. Although Martin had previously performed well, the decision raised doubts from the outset. As the match progressed, those concerns were validated—Inter exploited the space on Barcelona’s right flank and took a two-goal lead within the first half hour.
Despite Martin’s efforts on the pitch, his lack of experience—combined with the high-stakes nature of the match—clearly affected his performance. The Italian side capitalized on this vulnerability, putting Barcelona under intense pressure with an uncoordinated defensive setup.
At the beginning of the second half, Flick intervened decisively. He made several substitutions and adjusted the tactical system, relying on more experienced players. Ronald Araújo moved into central defense alongside Pau Cubarsí, forming a more solid backline, while Iñigo Martínez was deployed at left-back—just as he had been in extra time against Real Madrid—effectively limiting Inter’s threat down that side.
Although the strong second-half performance helped partially correct the earlier mistakes, the club had drawn a clear conclusion: Gerard Martin would not start the second leg at the Giuseppe Meazza. Flick had already informed his coaching staff that he would not repeat the gamble made at Montjuïc.
The German coach, who has never hesitated to critique his own decisions in internal meetings, considered relying on a young, inexperienced player in such a decisive match to be one of his biggest missteps. Despite the challenges posed by Alejandro Balde’s absence, the decision is now clear: Barcelona cannot afford to start Martin if they are serious about reaching the final.
