All you need to know: Inter Milan v FC Barcelona
Check out all you need to know about the Champions League match.
Inter vs Barcelona: Line-ups
Inter
Barcelona
Barcelona Have Too Much Depth
#1
One of five victories this term came last time out in the Champions League, as they got off the mark in a competitive Group C by beating Czech champions Viktoria Plzen 2-0, with Edin Dzeko and Denzel Dumfries scoring either side of their hosts going down to 10 men.
#2
Previously, they had lost by the same scoreline at home to Bayern, but they have tended to fare much better at San Siro in recent times: before their setback against Roma, they had won each of their last seven home games in the league – keeping four clean sheets in the process.
#3
As Inter have won only once from five meetings with Barcelona in Milan, though, they will need to overcome precedent to pick up maximum points this week. There is every chance Bayern will sprint into the distance by sweeping past Plzen, so back-to-back matches against the Blaugrana could be decisive.
#4
Before the international break, though, they succumbed to Bayern, with former Allianz Arena hero Lewandowski left ruing several missed chances against his erstwhile employers. That 2-0 loss in Bavaria represented Barca’s fifth defeat in their last nine group-stage games.
#5
Nonetheless, with six points on offer across both fixtures between the Blaugrana and Inter over the coming days, there is all to play for – and the contrast in confidence between both camps could prove a major factor.
DPP Verdict
Defensively vulnerable and often unable to hold on to a lead, Inter are ripe for the taking this week, and Barcelona’s much-improved squad are well-placed to take three points home from San Siro. Both sides are afflicted by injuries, but the greater depth available to Xavi means that which ever XI starts should have enough guile and experience to see off an ailing home side.
