BARCELONA – INTER | Wednesday 9pm
The controversy of last week’s match is not over yet: Barcelona’s fans, in the league, have been chanting chants against Inter, who are awaiting, on Wednesday night, the challenge that should decide the fate of their season. Or rather, the fate of Inzaghi’s team’s continuation in the Champions League. Last week’s victory at the San Siro showed an in-form, concentrated Inter side, who only conceded sterile ball possession to Xavi’s team, but who are still protesting that Dumfries’ hand touch in the middle of the area was not sanctioned with a shot from the eleven metres. The Var images did not allow the referee to make a decision without doubts and so it was allowed to continue. Good for the Italian team. The reception, of course, will not be an easy one for the Nerazzurri, who will have to deal with a packed Camp Nou that will be pushing Lewandowski and co. They will need that personality seen at Anfield last year. Although, the absence of Brozovic above all could weigh heavily. As, of course, will Lukaku’s.
Inzaghi, at the moment, seems to be intent on not changing anything by fielding Dzeko and Lautaro up front. Even if, until tomorrow, the coach could also decide to send in one less striker, insert a midfielder and put Mkhitaryan forward behind the Bull. A wait-and-see attitude, relying solely on the Argentine up front for a match that in this way would only promise to be one of suffering. We shall see. Xavi, on the other hand, should have no doubts. The Argentine coach hopes to see the best of Lewandowski – who was absent at the San Siro – and he could propose De Jong in the middle of the field to try and give more quality to his manoeuvre. One thing is certain, however: Inter will have a tough time of it.
Xavi, Barcelona coach
The Prediction
We were saying: it will be tough for the Nerazzurri. So tough that Inzaghi’s team could find the pride they need to face this kind of match. Inter might well be fine with a draw and then play everything against Plzen and Bayern Munich. But to speculate would be detrimental. In the end, though, the Nerazzurri could well come away with a positive result from Camp Nou.
Barcelona-Inter’s likely line-up
- BARCELONA (4-3-3): Ter Stegen; Sergi Roberto, Piqué, Eric García, Balde; De Jong, Busquets, Pedri; Dembélé, Lewandowski, Raphinha.
- INTERTER (3-5-2): Onana; Škriniar, De Vrij, Bastoni; Darmian, Barella, Çalhanoğlu, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Džeko, Lautaro Martínez
POSSIBLE RESULT: 1-1
