Champions League Semi-Finalists in Crisis After Three Straight Losses
Just weeks ago, Inter Milan were dreaming of a historic treble. Now, they’re scrambling to salvage their season as a brutal slump threatens to leave them empty-handed.
Simone Inzaghi’s side head into Wednesday’s Champions League semi-final first leg against Barcelona in dismal form, having lost three consecutive matches without scoring a single goal. Their recent collapse has handed Napoli control of the Serie A title race and saw them humiliated 3-0 by AC Milan in the Coppa Italia.
The mood at San Siro has turned from euphoric to grim. The electric atmosphere that fueled their thrilling quarter-final win over Bayern Munich has been replaced by frustration, with Sunday’s lethargic 1-0 defeat to Roma summing up their struggles.
“We created chances but lacked sharpness,” admitted Inzaghi after the Roma loss. “A win would have given us energy, but now we have to dig deep. We need to recharge—mentally and physically.”
A Season Slipping Away
Inter’s current three-game losing streak is their worst since 2012, and their attacking woes couldn’t have come at a worse time. Star striker Lautaro Martinez, who has carried the team with seven Champions League goals since January, looks exhausted. His usual partner, Marcus Thuram, is a doubt for the Barcelona clash, leaving Inter worryingly short of firepower.
To make matters worse, defender Benjamin Pavard is racing to recover from an ankle injury after Inter’s schedule was disrupted by Pope Francis’ funeral, forcing their Roma match to be moved to Sunday—leaving them one less day to prepare for Camp Nou.
Barcelona Riding High
Meanwhile, Barcelona are flying after their Copa del Rey triumph over Real Madrid, a victory that sparked a meltdown from their bitter rivals. The Catalans will be brimming with confidence, while Inter must rediscover their fighting spirit.
“We’re not scared,” insisted wing-back Carlos Augusto. “Being in a semi-final in April means we’ve done something right. This team has won before, and we’re ready.”
History Offers Hope
Inter can take some solace from their past. The last time they lost to Roma before this weekend? October 2022—just days before they stunned Barcelona 1-0 en route to last season’s Champions League final.
Fifteen years ago, José Mourinho’s Inter also wobbled late in the season before clinching the treble. But with Napoli pulling ahead in Serie A and Barcelona lying in wait, Inzaghi’s men must rally quickly—or risk their dream season turning into a nightmare.
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