Wednesday 20h October 2000hrs Barcelona v Inter Milan Football – Europe – Champions League Whenever Barca come up against Inter it’s hard to think back to the classic semi final clash in 2010 which seen the Italians progress to the final and eventually lift the trophy for the first time in the modern era. Barca have won it a couple of times since then of course and are looking to do so again this season. Somewhat surprisingly so these two clash in the Nou Camp both on maximum points after two games in what was seen as the ‘group of death’. At least one 100% record will go on Wednesday though – who’s will it be?! Match preview and selected betting tip as Barcelona host Inter Milan.
Barcelona went back top of La Liga with a 4-2 win at home to Sevilla on Saturday night but it came at a cost with an injury to Lionel Messi that will rule him out for the next couple of weeks at least. It could hardly have come at a worst time for coach Ernesto Valverde who not only has this important Champions League clash with Inter but also the small matter of the season’s first El Clasico against Real Madrid on Sunday. It’s probably stretching it to say that it’s a season defining week but it presents Barca with a chance to lay down a marker both domestically and in Europe and the coach would very much like to have his captain available for both. Messi has already notched five goals in the first two Champions League games of this campaign and turned in one of his best performances in Europe for a while when he lead his team to a win over Spurs at Wembley. There’s no shortage of quality attacking players look to replace him but it’s virtually impossible to replace his influence and impact on this team.
Inter had their best weekend of the season in terms of good news as not only did they get a much needed win in the Milan derby courtesy of an injury time goal from their own Argentinian captain Mauro Icardi, they were still beaming from ear to ear knowing that they would not be facing Messi on Wednesday. The win lifted them up to third in Serie A and kept them close enough to leaders Juventus that we can’t say their title challenge is all but done before we reach the end of October. It’s been much more positive in their return to Champions League football with two wins from two. Inter have come from behind on both occasions to beat Spurs (at home) and PSV (away) 2-1 to give them an upper hand over both opponents to qualify for the knockout phase. With many people predicting that Barcelona will top the group then this double header against the Catalans will be hugely important for Luciano Spalletti’s men as Spurs and PSV will both look on these next fixtures as an opportunity to close the gap. A result in the Nou Camp would probably have been bottom of their list when looking at the games in this group but weekend’s developments has made that a bit more likely.
Barcelona v Inter Milan Betting Tip
The semi final tie was the last time these two met in a competitive game so it’s fair to say that the wounds will have healed after what was a tempestuous encounter. Barca remain big favourites for this game despite Messi not being available but there’s no doubt that it will have given their opponents more hope that they can spring a surprise. The hosts stuttered through most of September and the beginning if October but there were plenty signs of a return to form when beating Sevilla whilst Inter extended their winning run to seven with the last gap goal in the derby on Sunday, so confidence will be high amongst the travelling party.
Valverde has plenty of decisions to make, not only who will replace Messi but also with an eye on Sunday’s clash at home to Real. Inter may well look to use both of those to their advantage but so much has been made of Messi’s injury that I expect his team mates will have something to prove and they can get another three points on the board. Barca have been poor defensively this season, though, with no clean sheets in their last six and I can see that continuing. Take Barcelona to win but both teams to score.
Selection: Barcelona and Both teams to score 173/100 @ Marathon Bet
