Summary

  1. Thanks for tuning in!published at 15:55 British Summer Time 6 May

    That's it for today from us, but there's still plenty more football still to come this evening.

    From 18:30 BST, you'll be able to follow our live text coverage and BBC Radio 5 Live commentary as Inter Milan host Barcelona in the Champions League semi-final second leg, with the tie currently level at 3-3.

    Join us again tomorrow for all the reaction from that match, plus much more build-up to the highly-anticipated second leg between PSG and Arsenal.

    See you then!

  2. 'Barca look at Yamal for solutions'published at 15:54 British Summer Time 6 May

    Inter Milan v Barcelona (3-3 on agg; 20:00 BST)

    Alex Bysouth
    BBC Sport

    Messi v Yamal comparison graphicsImage source, BBC Sport

    Lamine Yamal has scored five times in this season's Champions League, while his 44 shots and 78 dribbles are both the most on Opta's records for a teenager in a campaign.

    The earliest such data available on Messi is from 2006-07, when he was 19 and made 21 dribbles at a rate of 4.9 per 90 minutes, compared to Yamal's 7.2 this term. However, only three times in 14 subsequent seasons at Barcelona did Messi drop below Yamal's current average in Europe.

    Messi missed a chunk of that 2006-07 season with a metatarsal fracture but still clocked up 26 La Liga appearances, scoring 14 goals with a shot conversion rate of 23% and creating 38 chances, which led to two assists.

    Yamal, two years younger, has played 31 league games this season, scored six goals, made 12 assists and created 57 chances, though he has had almost twice as many shots as Messi did with a conversion rate of 5%.

    "What we are seeing from Lamine Yamal is extraordinary and the impact it has had in world football is completely out of the ordinary and unexpected," says Spanish football expert Guillem Balague.

    "Barcelona players look at him for solutions. Certainly other players felt - especially when they went 2-0 down against Inter - that Lamine Yamal was the solution."

  3. Is Yamal cut out to rival Messi at Barcelona?published at 15:52 British Summer Time 6 May

    Inter Milan v Barcelona (3-3 on agg; 20:00 BST)

    Alex Bysouth
    BBC Sport

    Lamine Yamal v Lionel Messi comparison graphicsImage source, BBC Sport

    Almost exactly 20 years separated Lionel Messi's first goal for Barcelona and Lamine Yamal's sensational Champions League semi-final strike on his 100th appearance for the Catalan giants last Wednesday.

    Yamal, a month younger than Messi was when he lobbed the goalkeeper from Ronaldinho's scooped assist to become La Liga's youngest scorer in 2005, has already won the Euros with Spain and a La Liga, Copa del Rey and Super Cup with Barcelona.

    The stats show Yamal's trajectory since his debut aged 15 years and 290 days is going up faster than either Messi or the other superstar of his generation, Cristiano Ronaldo.

    Yamal hit a century of Barcelona appearances two months shy of his 18th birthday. By the same age, Messi had scored once in nine senior games for Barca while Ronaldo had netted five goals in 19 games for Sporting.

    Yamal has 22 goals and 27 assists to his name, plus four more goals in his 19 appearances for Spain. Neither Messi or Ronaldo made their international debut until they turned 18.

    It took Messi, who made his debut at 16, until shortly before his 21st birthday to hit the 100-game mark in Barcelona colours, scoring 41 goals in the process.

  4. Stop Yamal and you stop Barcelona?published at 15:51 British Summer Time 6 May

    Inter Milan v Barcelona (3-3 on agg; Tues, 20:00 BST)

    .Image source, Getty Images

    Inter Milan boss Simone Inzaghi knows stopping Lamine Yamal will be crucial to his side's hopes of reaching the Champions League final.

    The Italians and Barcelona played out a thrilling 3-3 draw in the first leg, with Yamal scoring a superb goal and twice hitting the woodwork.

    "It's going to be really hard, we have to try to stop him getting the ball but that's almost impossible in today's football," said Inzaghi.

    "He'll be getting special attention from us. We'll obviously double up on him, we'll try to give him as much attention as possible but like we said after the first match he is a great talent.

    "He is really dangerous when he has the ball. When the team is in trouble they all give him the ball. But what really struck me is how quickly he thinks. When he gets the ball he already knows within a fraction of a second what he wants to do."

  5. Barcelona boosted by Lewandowski returnpublished at 15:50 British Summer Time 6 May

    Inter Milan v Barcelona (3-3 on agg; 20:00 BST)

    .Image source, Getty Images

    Barcelona have been boosted by the return of striker Robert Lewandowski from a hamstring injury and he could be named on the bench against Inter.

    The La Liga leaders made several changes for the 2-1 win at Valladolid with one eye on tonight's game.

    Goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen made his first start in that game after a long injury lay-off, but Wojciech Szczesny is expected to return in goal.

  6. Martinez to be fit to face Barcelona?published at 15:48 British Summer Time 6 May

    Inter Milan v Barcelona (3-3 on agg; 20:00 BST)

    .Image source, Getty Images

    Inter Milan are hoping captain and top scorer Lautaro Martinez will be fit to face Barcelona.

    The forward, who has scored 21 goals in all competitions this season, is a doubt after suffering a hamstring injury in the first leg.

    Defender Benjamin Pavard is also a doubt.

    "We will decide on Lautaro (Martinez) and Pavard together with the medical staff and the players, they will have to tell me how they feel," Inter boss Simone Inzaghi said.

    "On Sunday, Pavard participated in the first part of training and felt okay. Lautaro hasn't trained since Barcelona."

  7. 'We don't expect this crazy football anymore'published at 15:46 British Summer Time 6 May

    Inter Milan v Barcelona (3-3 on agg; 20:00 BST)

    Guillem Balague
    Spanish football journalist on BBC Radio 5 Live

    I cannot put my finger on what exactly made the last game so exciting. I was 10 metres away from Lamine Yamal attacking that flank where Inter were defending, and that's definitely one reason.

    Of course, going 2-0 down against such a strong defensive side and Barcelona turning it around. 3-3 shouldn't make them too happy, but all of that plus a disallowed goal made it so exciting.

    Perhaps it's because we don't expect this crazy football anymore in the organised football that we normally see. We just don't think it can happen anymore, but it did, and it was wonderful.

    Lamine Yamal dribbles with the ballImage source, Getty Images
  8. What happened in the first leg in Barcelona?published at 15:44 British Summer Time 6 May

    Inter Milan v Barcelona (3-3 on agg; 20:00 BST)

    Lamine Yamal of FC Barcelona celebrates scoringImage source, Getty Images

    This game is going to be a cracker if the first leg is anything to go by.

    Last week, Barcelona came back from behind twice to snatch a draw against Inter Milan in a six-goal thriller and leave their Champions League semi-final finely poised.

    Inter stunned the hosts after just 30 seconds when Marcus Thuram's audacious backheel flick made it 1-0 before Denzel Dumfries doubled their lead.

    But the magical, magnificent Lamine Yamal skipped past several defenders before unleashing a sumptuous left-foot finish to reduce the deficit in the 24th minute.

    Ferran Torres then equalised before the break but Dumfries then pulled Inter ahead again in the 63rd minute.

    Barca again responded in style and levelled just two minutes later when a stunning 25-yard strike from Raphinha clattered the bar, bounced down and into the net, via a touch off Inter goalkeeper Yann Sommer's back.

    More of the same tonight, please!

  9. Postpublished at 15:42 British Summer Time 6 May

    The Champions League trophy is picturedImage source, Getty Images

    That text from Mike is perhaps our cue to move on.

    We will look at PSG v Arsenal in more detail tomorrow as they battle for a place in the Champions League final.

    The first of the two spots in the title clash will, however, be booked tonight when Inter Milan face Barcelona.

    Their last-four tie remains finely in the balance after a thrilling 3-3 draw in Spain.

    Let's see how the two teams are doing before the return leg tonight.

  10. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 15:40 British Summer Time 6 May

    #bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    At present I’m more interested in the Nerazzurri v Barca. Tomorrow will take care of itself.

    Mike, Chippenham

  11. 'PSG will continue to excel on the biggest stages'published at 15:38 British Summer Time 6 May

    PSG v Arsenal (1-0 on agg; Wed, 20:00 BST)

    .Image source, Getty Images

    Whatever happens in this season's Champions League, Luis Enrique is confident Paris St-Germain are on the right path to becoming stronger and stronger on the biggest stages.

    "It's normal in a construction process that in the first year there are still things to analyse," he said.

    "The second year is a year of clearer growth and confidence in our resources. Next year we will continue to excel on the biggest stages."

  12. 'I've rarely seen a player with so much intelligence'published at 15:36 British Summer Time 6 May

    PSG v Arsenal (1-0 on agg; Wed 20:00 BST)

    Julien Laurens
    European football expert on The Football News Show

    The midfield has been the key with Joao Neves at the heart of it. Neves at 20 years old, I've rarely seen a player with so much intelligence and maturity in his game at that age.

    He's been amazing, his dad is a very famous coach in Portugal at grassroots level. When you have that upbringing, it teaches you a lot of things.

    This is where he develops a football IQ that is well above average, even in the professional game.

    Joao Neves of Paris Saint GermainImage source, Getty Images
  13. Postpublished at 15:31 British Summer Time 6 May

    PSG v Arsenal (1-0 on agg, 20:00 BST)

    Midfield will be another area where the second leg could be won and lost.

    And PSG have the very impressive duo of Vitinha and Joao Neves as they go up against an Arsenal side, who will be boosted by the return of Thomas Partey from suspension.

    Portugal international Neves, 20, in particular has shone as both a creator and destructor in Luis Enrique's midfield.

  14. get involved

    Get Involved - 'They should hit PSG at pace'published at 15:29 British Summer Time 6 May

    #bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    A lot of injuries and lack of a true striker have certainly cost Arsenal in the league this season. That said, a Champions League semi final is nothing to be sniffed at. They should hit PSG at pace and take their chances. With Partey back in the line up they'll be better equipped to deal with the PSG midfield.

    Andy

  15. 'He's been excellent since the turn of the year'published at 15:26 British Summer Time 6 May

    PSG v Arsenal (1-0 on agg; Wed, 20:00 BST)

    Julien Laurens
    European football expert on The Football News Show

    Gianluigi Donnarumma of Paris Saint-Germain stops the ball over Declan RiceImage source, get

    There have been mistakes made by Gianluigi Donnarumma, but he has also been wonderful at times. He's not perfect, certainly on crosses and set pieces, but on his line he's definitely one of the best in the world. He's been excellent since the turn of the year.

  16. 'Donnarumma gives us confidence for these games'published at 15:23 British Summer Time 6 May

    PSG v Arsenal (1-0 on agg; Wed, 20:00 BST)

    Paris St-Germain
    Paris St-Germain

    .Image source, Getty Images

    Achraf Hakimi spoke about the importance of Gianluigi Donnarumma in these sorts of games.

    "I think you can already see that he is one of the best goalkeepers in the world," said the PSG defender.

    "We have so much confidence in him. Some people doubted him but we have always supported him and we have seen that he has always responded in the best way.

    "He gives us so much confidence in these sorts of games."

  17. Postpublished at 15:19 British Summer Time 6 May

    PSG v Arsenal (1-0 on agg; Wed, 20:00 BST)

    Gianluigi Donnarumma of Paris Saint-Germain celebratesImage source, Getty Images

    Another player who had a big hand in PSG's 1-0 win in the first leg was Gianluigi Donnarumma.

    The giant Italian keeper, as he was against Liverpool and Aston Villa earlier in the Champions League, was PSG's hero again at Arsenal.

    He saved brilliantly from Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard either side of the break to preserve PSG's advantage and will once again be key as the Gunners travel to Paris desperate to turn the tie around.

  18. get involved

    Get Involved - 'Stop comparing PSG to Real Madrid'published at 15:16 British Summer Time 6 May

    #bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    I don't get the narrative of 'but look what we did at Madrid.' Real Madrid had to attack to close the deficit from the first leg, this time PSG don't have to do that. They can hit Arsenal on the counter, different game, different circumstances so stop comparing

    H

    Players of Paris Saint Germain (PSG) celebrateImage source, Getty Images
  19. What changed for Dembele?published at 15:13 British Summer Time 6 May

    PSG v Arsenal (1-0 on agg; Wed, 20:00 BST)

    Guillem Balague
    Spanish football journalist on BBC Radio 5 Live

    Ousmane Dembele has never lacked confidence, is super-passionate about football and arrived in Paris in August 2023 convinced of his ability to star and succeed at the club, despite the presence at the time of Kylian Mbappe.

    Last summer, manager Luis Enrique told Dembele that, without Mbappe in the team, he needed more goals from him to go with his large number of assists - carte blanche for the player to show a more selfish approach with less passing and a bigger desire to score.

    In private, the coaching staff have frequently told him that if he managed to convert a decent percentage of the chances that he creates, it can lead to collective success and then individual honours. The Ballon d'Or even.

    He has taken it all on board and is relishing playing in his new tactical role.

  20. Dembele benefitting from experience gained at different clubspublished at 15:10 British Summer Time 6 May

    PSG v Arsenal (1-0 on agg; Wed, 20:00 BST)

    Paris St-Germain
    Paris St-Germain

    .Image source, Getty Images

    Ousmane Dembele previously played for Rennes, Borussia Dortmund and Barcelona before arriving at Paris St-Germain and boss Luis Enrique believes the French side are now benefitting from Dembele's development at different clubs.

    "He has had a clear footballing pathway that he has benefited from as he has played at different clubs with different ways of playing," Enrique said,

    "His experience at Barcelona was very useful to him because he was with top-level players for many years, with a similar match philosophy that we try to transmit.

    "I speak to Dembele about many things depending on the game."