Champions League Preview: Inter Milan Vs Barcelona

Written By Jacobs Dunga

Two teams with eight Champions League titles between them but on a completely different run of form face each other at the San Siro on Tuesday. Both teams are tied on three points in group C with the same points separating them from table toppers Bayern Munich. Inter Milan coach Simone Inzaghi will hope he can turn things around at the club where he seems to be spending his last days due to unfavourable results. The outcome of the match will not only have a say on the future of the Inter coach, it will also go a long way to determine who joins Bayern Munich who seem destined in the next round.

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Barcelona are currently on top of their game and go into this fixture the more confident and energized side. A run of six consecutive league victories following an opening day draw. Xavi Hernandez recently broke the unbeaten away record set by Zinedine Zidane’s Real Madrid and are yet to lose in the league this season. With Just one goal conceded in seven top flight games, Inter will have to dig deep to find a cutting edge against one of the meanest defences in the world.

TEAM NEWS

Marcelo Brozovic returned from the international break injures and has been ruled out for at least a month.

Ronald Araujo who underwent surgery after an injury on international duty will miss the encounter and possible the remainder of the year.

Romelu Lukaku failed to make it back in time for this tie and Lautaro Martinez could now join him on the sidelines due to a minor injury sustained on Saturday.

Jules Kounde, Frenkie De Jong and Memphis Depay are all ruled out after sustaining injuries during their Nations League campaigns.

STYLE

Simone Inzaghi thrilled the Nerazzurri faithfuls last season with some beautiful football which allowed the players to move freely around the pitch. However, this season has been nothing but a complete opposite of what was seen last season.

Barcelona in their case have improved in style and results since the arrival of Xavi last term. The former player has brought back the old tiki taka feeling in and around the Camp Nou.

FORM

Inter Milan are going through a patchy form at the moment. The Simone Inzaghi led side are still to find their feet this season and will hope that this game can kickstart their turnaround.

The Blaugrana may have lost to Bayern Munich in their last UCL outing but their form is certainly one of the best across Europe and they’ll be looking at taking advantage of Inter Milan’s mini crisis.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Lautaro Martinez was influential for Argentina in the last international break while Federico DiMarco expected to continue his fine form. Both players can be instrumental for Inter on Tuesday evening.