Champions League: Barca Face Must-Win Match Against Inter Milan

Barcelona vs Inter Milan

Barcelona and Inter Milan are set to collide once again in the Champions League, and their crucial clash at the Camp Nou could go a long way toward deciding who will go through in Champions League Group C.

Inter are currently in second place in the group and have a three-point advantage over Barca by virtue of their big 1-0 win in their first meeting at San Siro last week thanks to a Hakan Calhanoglu goal.

The Catalans, who crashed out in the Champions League group stage last season for the first time in over 20 years, simply cannot afford to suffer another defeat, which would see their Champions League 2022 odds of making it to the next round dwindle.

Talking Points

Barcelona no longer free-scoring after the break

After scoring for fun before the international break, Barcelona are suddenly finding it hard to get goals since returning. They have scored just twice in three games after the break and were shut out in their 1-0 defeat to Inter, their second straight Champions League game without a goal.

After scoring the winner against Mallorca, leading scorer Robert Lewandowski (12 goals in 11 games) has been held without a goal in consecutive games for the first time in his Barca career.

Luckily for Barca, Pedri popped up with the winning goal in their 1-0 victory at home to Celta Vigo, which kept them top of La Liga.

Xavi handed a start to Ferran Torres on the weekend, but Ousmane Dembele is likely to return on the wing. Raphinha has started the last two games, but he could be dropped in midweek as Xavi tries and jumpstart Barca’s suddenly sputtering attack.

El Clasico looms

While this game against Inter is a big one for Barcelona, there is an even bigger one coming up on the weekend with El Clasico.

00It remains to be seen whether the upcoming trip to Real Madrid will affect Xavi’s selections against Inter. Although, with defenders Jules Kounde, Ronald Araujo, and Hector Bellerin still out injured, he will not have many options available.

Meanwhile, the midfield trio of Pedri, Sergio Busquets, and Gavi have started each of the last two games. Franck Kessie is out after suffering a thigh strain, but Frenkie de Jong is back fit and could start should Xavi decide to shake things up.

Inter wins easing pressure off Inzaghi

Simone Inzaghi looked to be on the hot seat after back-to-back defeats to Udinese and Roma saw them floundering in Serie A. But back-to-back wins over Barcelona and Sassuolo have helped ease some of the pressure off the Inter boss.

Edin Dzeko was the hero as his brace gave the Nerazzurri a much-needed 2-1 win against the Neroverdi.

Inter were without strikers Joaquin Correa and Romelu Lukaku for that match, although they are hoping Lukaku can make his return in midweek against Barca. The Belgian has not played since suffering a thigh injury just before the international break. If he’s unable to pass fit, it will likely be up to the pairing of Lautaro and Dzeko to produce some Champions League 2022 highlights.

Meanwhile, midfielder Marcelo Brozovic is also unlikely to play due to his own thigh injury. 20-year-old Kristjan Asllani has started each of the last two Serie A games in the Croatian’s place, but he was subbed off at half-time against Sassuolo for Henrikh Mkhitaryan, who set up Dzeko for the winning goal.

Centre-backs Martin Skriniar and Stefan de Vrij were both rested over the weekend, but they should be back to face Barcelona. Inter’s defensive performance last week against Barca was by far their best this season, and they will be hoping to recreate it at the Camp Nou.

History

While Inter won last week, Barcelona still hold a sizable advantage in terms of Champions League victories (6-2), with 3 draws.

Barca will like their chances of beating Inter at Camp Nou. The Nerazzurri have lost all five of the away matches they’ve played against the Catalans in the Champions League. Moreover, Barcelona have lost just once in 17 home games against Italian opposition (13 wins, 3 draws).

Betting Tip

SBOTOP odds have Barcelona installed as significant 1.43 favourites to overcome Inter at the Camp Nou. The Nerazzurri are priced at 6.00 to win, while a draw is 4.90.

Much like their first game, I expect this match to be a closely contested affair with both clubs desperate not to lose.

With Barca struggling for goals at the moment and Inter likely to miss a couple of their top strikers, don’t be surprised if this is another low-scoring match potentially decided by the odd goal.

 

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