Inter Milan 1-1 Barcelona
Barcelona secured their ticket to the knockout stage of the Champions League, though it came a little off from what they expected after playing out an exhilarating stalemate with Inter Milan at the San Siro.
A victory would have ensured that the Catalans will finish at the top of Group B with two games to spare. However, with star striker Lionel Messi still on the sidelines, a draw and qualifying were all what the team needed.
Inter Milan fought mightily and made the contest—particularly the final 10 minutes—thrilling, and they deserved to take a point as they now have one foot in the Round of 16.
Highlights of the game
Earlier reports suggested that Messi could feature in the game, two weeks after sustaining an arm injury in their high-profile La Liga clash with Sevilla. However, coach Ernesto Valverde and the team decided not to risk the Argentine striker who was eventually left watching in the stands.
Despite the absence of their talisman, though, Barca were still the better team in their classic encounter with Inter—a game that was overflowing with intensity right from the start.
While the two teams could have been better in terms of finishing, an electrifying stretch in the last 10 minutes of regular time turned it into an epic battle that is fitting for a tournament like the Champions League.
Super-sub Malcom, who hasn’t featured that much for the Spanish champions since signing with them in the summer, stole the Champions League 2018 highlights with an 83rd-minute strike that broke the deadlock. Nonetheless, the lead didn’t last long as Mauro Icardi stepped up for the hosts four minutes later and showed there is another Argentinean worthy of the spotlight.
Barca dominated the first half and would rue the fact that they had plenty of missed chances. In fact, Luis Suarez had a glorious opportunity on 12 minutes after controlling an Ivan Rakitic high ball with his chest, but the Uruguayan sent his shot inches wide of the top corner.
Suarez had two more attempts—assisted by Jordi Alba on 22 minutes and off a corner from Gerard Pique just moments after the half-hour mark—though to no avail.
Rakitic, Philippe Coutinho and Ousmane Dembele also spurned solid opportunities in the first half, keeping the game scoreless heading to the break.
While Inter failed to threaten in the opening frame, they did come out in the final 45 minutes with more intent. Stefan de Vrij, off a Marcelo Brozovic cross, hit a header a little too high before Matias Vecino gave Barca a scare with a right-footed shot.
Barca thought they finally found the break they were looking for when Suarez converted from close range. Rakitic got a rebound and sent the ball to the centre of the box for the 31-year-old to score, but the goal was disallowed after a review showed that the ball was already out of play.
Coutinho tested Milan keeper Samir Handanovic after that, but his effort from the left wing went directly to the shot-stopper and was swiftly blocked.
With the game seemingly headed to a goalless draw, Malcom replaced the ineffective Dembele in the 81st minute and immediately made an impact. The Brazilian controlled a Coutinho pass perfectly and launched a laser from 15 yards despite having two Milan players on him.
Icardi and Milan won’t be denied a point though, as the 25-year-old star man produced a moment of magic for the visitors. Following a cross from Lauro Martinez, the ball bounced inside the box and Icardi pounced to deliver after almost losing his balance.
Key statistics
The Champions League 2018 odds at SBOBET had Barcelona winning, and that would have been the case had they been more clinical. Barca were pretty wasteful, as they finished with only one goal out of eight shots on target.
Valverde’s charges also recorded a total of 27 shot attempts, compared to Inter Milan who had only 11 and one on-target effort.
Barcelona will still be happy though. Malcom’s goal is his first ever in the Champions League, and it helped them become the first team to reach the Round of 16 of the competition. Oh, and it’s also Barca’s 15th straight qualification to the UCL knockout stages!
What’s next?
Before the international break, Barca will host Real Betis in La Liga as they look to extend their lead at the top of the table. After the break, they play Atletico Madrid followed by a Champions League match with PSV that will give them a chance to secure the Group B top spot for good.
Inter, on the other hand, play Atalanta in the Serie A this weekend. They return to the domestic league two weeks later to play Frosinone followed by a UCL meeting with English Premiership club Tottenham Hotspur.
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