Inter Milan Coach Unsure Whether France Superstar Will Start Vs Barcelona: “Let’s See Tomorrow” | OneFootball

Inter Milan coach Simone Inzaghi cannot guarantee Marcus Thuram will start in tomorrow’s Champions League clash against Barcelona.

During his pre-match conference via FCInterNews, the 49-year-old admitted the French star may not start the game.

Inter will meet the runaway La Liga leaders in troubled spirits after losing three domestic fixtures on the spin.

Indeed, Thuram’s absence derailed Inter’s firepower, resulting in an abysmal three-match scoreless run.

However, with the Frenchman back to fitness, the reigning Scudetto holders will try to upset the apple cart in Catalonia.

Despite Inter’s recent slumps, they’ve been outstanding at Europe’s top table this season.

Except for a 1-0 defeat at Bayer Leverkusen in the league phase, they’ve gone unbeaten in all other matches.

Furthermore, they’ve kept eight clean sheets and are one shutout away from equaling the Italian record.

Inter Milan Coach Simone Inzaghi Unsure Whether Marcus Thuram Will Start vs Barcelona

MUNICH, GERMANY – APRIL 08: Marcus Thuram of FC Internazionale reacts during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Quarter Final First Leg match between FC Bayern München and FC Internazionale Milano at Fussball Arena Muenchen on April 08, 2025 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)

Marcus Thuram has recovered from a minor adductor injury and boarded the plane to Spain with the rest of the squad.

However, the 27-year-old lacks match fitness, meaning the medical staff must re-evaluate his condition before the game.

“As for the lineup, we’ll see,” Inzaghi claimed. “The work has shown good signs, but we’ll see tomorrow after the pre-match warm-up.

“We thought we’d have him against Roma too, but that didn’t happen. We’ll see tomorrow, much will depend on how the player is feeling.”

“Everyone else is available except Pavard.

“Even in defense, without him, I have Bisseck or Darmian, but also De Vrij.

“Dumfries could start from the beginning, and we’ve really missed him.”

Meanwhile, Inzaghi confirmed Mehdi Taremi or Marko Arnautovic would take Thuram’s place if he fails to make the starting XI.

“If Thuram doesn’t play, I’ll choose between Taremi and Arnautovic,” he admitted.

“I don’t think anything will change tactically. We’ll see how Thuram is doing and who will play.”

Furthermore, he discussed the fitness condition of Federico Dimarco.

“He’s doing well, both he and the team,” Inzaghi continued. “We went ahead against Bayern, which is the most physical team in Europe.

“We’ve had some injuries because the Champions League has been more demanding. Barcelona and Bayern have had injuries too.

“The last two and a half games shouldn’t mislead us. Dimarco had an issue that kept him out, but he’s recovered and will start tomorrow.”

Rough Patch

Simone Inzaghi recognizes the difficulty of the situation and tries to encourage his squad to bounce back.

“In four years the boys have done extraordinary things, and the last week doesn’t erase that.

“We’ve come this far, it’s been an exciting season so far. We should’ve done better in the last three matches.

“But we’re still here competing for all our goals, even when some said it would be hard to even finish in the top four in Italy.

“You’ll never hear me speak badly of the boys or the club. With them and the fans, we’ve managed to achieve these things.

“We’re beyond the most optimistic expectations.”

Asked whether this is the worst crisis since he joined the club in 2021, Inzaghi offered a different opinion.

“When you’re in the Champions League semifinal, it’s hard to call it the most difficult moment,” he added.

“We’ve had a rough week and need to do more and better, but tomorrow we’re playing one of the strongest teams in the world.

“We’ll need a match full of sacrifice, with many different ingredients to come out on top.

“Ambition must always be there. We don’t know how it will end.

“The league is no longer in our hands, and in the Champions League, we’re in the semifinal. However, the boys have given everything.

“The past week hasn’t been positive, but the team will go into this match with heads held high and huge determination.”

Arduous Task

Inter will lock horns with a high-flying Barcelona side, who head into proceedings in a buoyant mood.

Indeed, the Catalans beat Real Madrid to Copa del Rey glory last weekend.

Therefore, Inzaghi is aware of the gravity of the task ahead.

“We know Barcelona,” he commented. “Flick has brought great organization. They are a very offensive team, with midfielders that are all top class.

“It’s a team built over time through their youth academy. Credit to them – they’ve won two titles and scored over 150 goals.

“They’re competing for two more trophies. We have maximum respect for them, but no fear.

“In the Champions League, there are many great opponent.

“We’ve had an outstanding run and we want to play these two matches as the real Inter.

“Everyone has their own philosophy. Bayern differs from Barcelona in some ways.

“However, we need to put everything on the pitch, knowing we’ll need great clarity because it will be a match of constant decision-making.

“Both teams have played many matches. In this day and a half, we’ve worked through video analysis to prepare a very organized performance.

“We’ll need to be clean in our passing to avoid their pressing, and when needed, we’ll have to defend as a team. We’ll need everyone.”

Additionally, Inzaghi admits Inter have endured a morale-wracking week.

“We’re coming off a rough week, which doesn’t erase the work we’ve done, but we know we had to do better.

“We’ve analyzed what happened in the last league match, but in terms of commitment, the boys give everything for the shirt.

“On Sunday, after the match, the Curva joined the players in a tough moment.

“People understood how much the team gave in the second half.”

Formidable Opposition

Despite Barcelona’s remarkable form, Inzaghi insists Inter are on a par with the Camp Nou heavyweights.

“The four semifinalists are here on merit,” he was adamant. “We’ve just come off a very rough week, while Barcelona have just won the Copa del Rey.

“The moods are different, but the team has worked hard with video analysis, and we’ll try to put in a great performance.”

However, Inzaghi couldn’t help but praise Barcelona’s famous La Masia.

“I have to congratulate Barcelona for their youth academy work,” he said.

“They consistently develop great talents, and Yamal is a one-of-a-kind talent in the world.

“He makes great plays and is very useful to the team.

“He puts himself at the service of the group, and tomorrow, he’ll be under special observation.

“Of course, all the others will be closely watched by my players too.

“It’s a team that’s been built over time. We did well against them three years ago, but even then you could already see a great team forming.

“They’re technical players, they play beautiful football.

“Even in 2022, they had a great coach like Xavi, and now they have Flick, who’s bringing strong organization just like he did earlier in his career.”