Inter Milan entered the Champions League semifinals, having an empty-handed season after a late-season downturn killed their three-fold hope and leaving them wondering where the next victory would come from.

The tough clash in Barcelona on Wednesday was nearly impossible to come at the worst of the International Bureau, as he lost three games in the bounce without a goal since entering the last four games.

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The three losses gave Napoli a three-point lead at the top of Serie A with four games remaining and a crushing defeat at AC Milan last week, with four games remaining in the Italian Cup.

Simone Inzaghi's team looked tired and gradually lost their minds. Sunday's 1-0 family loss to the Roma was played in front of a wealthy San Siro crowd, no different from the exciting experience that accompanied Bayern Munich two weeks ago.

"We deserve more and create situations where we can't get anything, mainly because of our lack of clarity," Inzaghi said on Sunday.

"Maybe a positive result will bring us more energy, but we need to find it from our hearts. We have to charge the battery mentally and physically."

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The last time the international currency lost three consecutive games without scoring was in 2012 in a spell of bad luck on the Nerazzurri bench.

The International Front lost to Rome for the last time. In October 2022, three days after that defeat, Inter Milan defeated Barcelona 1-0 and reached the final of Istanbul that season, and they barely lost to Manchester City.

15 years ago, Barca was the semi-final rival of Inter, when the final treble champion nearly capped Serie A with Rome, hosted by Ranieri, before winning the final day of the season.

- "Not afraid" -

Inter will also reduce the day after the game against Rome is moved back to Sunday to avoid clashes with Pope Francis’ funeral, which gives French defender Benjamin Pavard less time to recover from an ankle sprain he picked up on the weekend.

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Barcelona was at a climax after defeating Real Madrid on Saturday as their old rival suffered a grumpy collapse in a third straight win over Krasico.

"We are not afraid, the best thing is in April, there are still some things to play," Wing guard Carlos Augusto said on Sunday.

"We have the opportunity to achieve extraordinary results, we are not afraid. This team has won a lot of victories and is always focused."

Inzaghi hopes forward Marcus Thuram will be used as his backup is undoubtedly with Lautaro Martinez, who looks exhausted and frustrated.

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Captain Martinez has been the key to Inter's semi-finals, with the goal first blocking the top eight in the league stage before dragging his side to the final four games.

The 27-year-old has scored seven times in five Champions League games since the beginning of the year, half of his total goals in that period.

He was excellent against Bayern and won the title against the Bundesliga two weeks ago when Inter looked to be on the top of the world.

Now Inter is scrambling to save something from the dream season, but it quickly turns into a nightmare.

TD/