3Views
Marcus Thuram scored a great backheel goal just 30 seconds into Inter Milan’s Champions League semifinal against Barcelona. This showed his amazing season, bringing his total to 18 goals in all competitions.
STRONG START
The French striker made a big return from injury on Wednesday night. He surprised the Barcelona crowd with a clever backheel shot from Denzel Dumfries’ cross just seconds after the game started. The goal set the stage for an exciting 3-3 draw in the first leg of the semifinal at the Olympic Stadium in Montjuïc. Thuram had missed Inter’s last three games due to a thigh injury, but he showed how important he is to the team with his precise shooting.
EXCELLENT SEASON
The goal against Barcelona was Thuram’s 18th this season for Inter Milan. He has also provided nine assists in all competitions. Inter really missed him when he was away, losing all three matches, including defeats to Bologna and Roma in Serie A, and getting knocked out of the Coppa Italia by Milan. Thuram’s return helped Inter find their scoring form again, as they scored three goals against Barcelona after not scoring in their last three games.
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE EXCITEMENT
The semifinal first leg was like a rollercoaster. Inter took a two-goal lead through Thuram and Dumfries. But Barcelona fought back with goals from Lamine Yamal and Ferran Torres. Dumfries scored again to put Inter ahead in the 64th minute, but Raphinha’s goal, which hit the post and went in off goalkeeper Yann Sommer, meant the match ended in a draw. This leaves everything to play for in the second leg at the San Siro next Tuesday, as both teams aim for a spot in the final in Munich against either Arsenal or Paris Saint-Germain.
WHAT’S NEXT FOR INTER?
Inter have a tough schedule leading up to the second leg next Tuesday. After losing their lead in Serie A during their three-match losing streak, they are looking to regain momentum in both domestic and European competitions. The return of Thuram and Dumfries is a big help, but there are new concerns about striker Lautaro Martínez, who couldn’t return for the second half against Barcelona due to a hamstring issue.
