Champions League will brace itself for one of the most highly anticipated matches of this season as Barcelona lock horns with Inter Milan at the Camp Nou on Wednesday.
Barcelona will be looking to get their season back on track after a disappointing 0-0 draw with Borussia Dortmund. They have also endured a stuttering start to their domestic campaign, and manager Ernesto Valverde could be in trouble if his side fails to seal all three points at home this week.
Unlike Barca, Inter Milan have made a sensational start to their domestic campaign under Antonio Conte. But, they drew 1-1 with Slavia Praha in their opening Champions League fixture, which automatically puts them on the backfoot in this Champions League group of death. That means the only way the Italian champions can take the upper hand is by beating Barcelona on Wednesday.
Talking Tactics
Valverde won’t be taking Inter lightly following their brilliant start to the Serie A campaign. However, the hosts are likely to dominate the possession, thanks to their reliable midfield trio of Arthur, Frenkie de Jong and Sergio Busquets. The free-flowing attacking formation in Barcelona’s 4-3-3 could cause some trouble for the Inter defence that likes to remain organised.
As for Conte, he is likely to persist with his preferred 3-5-2 setup. The two attackers will look to put pressure on the relatively slow Barcelona centre-backs. As for the wing-backs, they will act as utility players, meaning they will have the license to roam down the wide areas and position themselves according to the situation of the game. It will be interesting to see who wins the midfield battle in this fixture.
Team News
Barcelona
Lionel Messi won’t feature in this contest due to injury, along with Ousmane Dembele and Samuel Umtiti. Jordi Alba is also a doubt, meaning Junior Firpo is likely to deputise for the Spaniard at left-back. We could expect Carles Perez to start in the absence of both Messi and Dembele.
Barcelona Predicted XI
ter Stegen; Semedo, Pique, Lenglet, Firpo; de Jong, Busquets, Arthur; Perez, Suarez, Griezmann.
Inter Milan
Romelu Lukaku will return to the starting eleven after being rested last weekend. Alexis Sanchez, too, is likely to start despite being sent off in the previous league game. Conte will likely get the privilege of choosing from a fully fit Inter Milan squad ahead of this clash at the Nou Camp.
Inter Milan Predicted XI
Handanovic; Godin, de Vrij, Skriniar; D’Ambrosio, Barella, Brozovic, Sensi, Asamoah; Sanchez, Lukaku.
Key Men
Barcelona
Suarez and Griezmann will be tasked with the responsibility of leading the Barcelona attack in the absence of Messi. Both the attackers struggled to perform against Borussia Dortmund in their last Champions League game and will be under close watch by Conte’s men this week. They must perform if the hosts are to secure all three points in this fixture.
Inter Milan
Stefano Sensi has been highly successful in these early parts of the season. The Italian is the club’s joint-top scorer as well as the leading assist maker. Therefore, the onus will be on him to outwit the Barcelona midfielders and formulate goal-scoring opportunities for Inter in the final third. Lukaku will also play a key role in leading the attack for the visitors.
Odds
- Barca to win: 5/8
- Draw: 7/2
- Inter to win: 5/1
