Tuesday, November 6, 2018


Inter vs Barcelona - Competition: UEFA Champions League
Date: 6 November 2018 - Kick-off Time: 20:00 GMT - 21:00 CET
Venue: Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, Milano
 
Inter team bounced back from a defeat to FC Barcelona (0-2) a fortnight ago with an astonishing display away at Lazio (0-3) and an impressive 5-0 victory over Genoa last Saturday. The Nerazzurri are on a 7 match winning streak in the Serie A and sit 2nd in the standings, 6 point below league leaders Juventus. Luciano Spalletti's men boast Europe's best defensive record, with only 6 goals conceded domestically in 11 matches. Anyway, Inter have failed to keep a clean sheet in UCL so far. They trail Barcelona by three points and will aim to go level with the Blaugrana. 
Joao Mario is ineligible in the Champions League along with Henrique Dalbert and Roberto Gagliardini. Hence, Matias Vecino will start in midfield alongside Marcelo Brozovic while Kwadwo Asamoah and Sime Vrsaljko will feature from the off as full backs. Radja Nainggolan made his comeback from an ankle problem against Genoa at the weekend, and the Belgium international is expected to return to the Inter XI for this match. Mauro Icardi was rested against Genoa and is expected to spearhead the attack, with Ivan Perisic and Matteo Politano out wide.

FC Barcelona team dispatched Inter easier than expected two weeks ago at Camp Nou a fortnight ago (2-0) and top the group with 9 points after three fixtures. Ernesto Valverde's side beat PSV 4-0 on opening night before winning 4-2 at Tottenham in the first two fixtures. Their away record in Europe is not so impressive - 6 wins, 5 draw and 6 defeats in the last 17 matches. As for La Liga, three straight La Liga wins has taken Barcelona to the top of the table, with a 4-2 win over Sevilla followed by a 5-1 success over Real in El Clasico and a 3-2 away win at Rayo Vallecano over the weekend. 
Messi is dealing with a fractured arm and remains a doubt for this trip. As a result, Ousmane Dembelè and Rafinha Alcantara are in contention to partner Philippe Coutinho and Luis Suarez up front. No changes are expected in midfield, where Sergio Busquets will be the playmaker between Arthur and Ivan Rakitic. In defense, Samuel Umtiti and Thomas Vermaelen are sidelined, meaning that Clement Lenglet will partner Gerard Piquè at the heart of the back, with Jordi Alba and Sergi Roberto on their flanks.

Probable lineups:
Inter Milan: Handanovic – Vrsaljko, de Vrij, Skriniar, Asamoah – Vecino, Brozovic – Politano, Nainggolan, Perisic – Icardi
Barcelona: ter Stegen – Roberto, Pique, Lenglet, Alba – Rakitic, Busquets, Arthur – Rafinha, Suarez, Coutinho.

Inter Milan last 5 matches:
07/10/18 SPAL 1 – 2 Inter
21/10/18 Inter 1 – 0 Milan
24/10/18 Barcelona 2 – 0 Inter
29/10/18 Lazio 0 – 3 Inter
03/11/18 Inter 5 – 0 Genoa

Barcelona last 5 matches:
20/10/18 Barcelona 4 – 2 Sevilla
24/10/18 Barcelona 2 – 0 Inter
28/10/18 Barcelona 5 – 1 Real Madrid
31/10/18 Cultural Leonesa 0 – 1 Barcelona
03/11/18 Rayo Vallecano 2 – 3 Barcelona


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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