PREVIEW: FC Barcelona v Inter Milan

The Champions League returns to the Camp Nou. On Wednesday (9.00pm CEST) Barça and Inter Milan will play the second match of the group stage, with the Blaugrana looking to continue their good record against the nerazzurri.

In the last nine matches between the teams, Barça have lost just once (San Siro, April 2010, 1-3). 

First win at stake

Both teams are looking for their first Group F win in the 2019/20 Champions League, after Barça earned a point in Dortmund (0-0), while Antonio Conte’s side drew 1-1 at the San Siro against Slavia Prague.

The rival

Coach: Antonio Conte
Top scorers: Lukaku and Sensi (3 goals)
Ex-blaugranes in the team: Alexis Sánchez
Current Form: P6 W6 D0 L0
Position in Serie A: 1st

Fortress Camp Nou

The Camp Nou has become a real fortress for Barça as they haven’t lost at the stadium in European competition since May 2013, against Bayern Munich. More than six years without a defeat, having won 29 and drawn three of the last 32 European home games. 

Precedents and stats

Inter have lost on five of their six visits to the Camp Nou. The only win came in the Fairs Cup in 1970.

Lionel Messi has participated in 15 goals in his last 17 Champions League games against Italian teams (12 goals, 3 assists). 

Last season, Barça beat Inter at the Camp Nou (2-0) and drew in Milan (1-1).

Inter have failed to score in away games against Barcelona (5 out of 6 matches) more than versus any other team in European competition in their history.

FC Barcelona have failed to score in their last two Champions League matches, but have never gone three in a row without finding the net.

Team news

For this match, Ernesto Valverde won’t be able to count on Umtiti or Jordi Alba, who remain injured, as is youth player Ansu Fati who has been helping out the first team of late (and doing a fine job of it too).

But Leo Messi and Ousmane Dembélé have both been declared fit and included.

The kist is as follows: Ter Stegen, N. Semedo, Piqué, I. Rakitic, Sergio, Todibo, Arthur, Suárez, Messi, O. Dembélé, Neto, Lenglet, M. Wague, Griezmann, Aleñá, S. Roberto, F. De Jong, Vidal, Junior and C. Pérez.

Inter Milan have just one major injury concern, but it's a big one. Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku, signed from Man United in the summer, has a muscle injury and has not travelled.

Quotes

Inter manager Antonio Conte
"It’s a big week for us. We have Barça and then Juve … Nobody prepares games to draw or lose. We are here to win … Whether it is a good or a bad time to play Barça. I don’t know, but when Barça play here they impose their game regardless of any ups and downs … Tomorrow we have to prepared to face Barça, with or without Messi.”

Barça striker Antoine Griezmann
“Conte is a great coach who manages to get the best out of his teams tactically and has always got good results, whether with the national team or with Juventus.”
“The Champions League is the trophy everyone dreams about, I’ve won a lot of trophies but this is my objective, my dream. I hope it’s a spectacular night and we can get the three points.”

Barça defender Clement Lenglet
“The Champions League is always a good test. And especially with Inter, who are having a very good season so far.”
"It's interesting to see where we are. Inter is the first Champions League match at Camp Nou and our second after the draw with Dortmund. That was a bittersweet feeling. We took a point and I think we can do more."

Inter and former Barça striker Alexis Sánchez
"When I came here, they were saying it was the best Barça team ever. There were Messi, Guardiola, Xavi and Iniesta, but also Puyol. He was an incredible captain, the best I ever had.”
"We must take out chances. I was here with Manchester United and be wasted 3 or 4 clear chances. Give them a chance, they score, and before you know it you’re 3-0 down.”

Former Barça and Inter striker Samuel Eto’o
"Barça was the team where I could make millions of African kids dream that anything is possible in life. Inter confirmed it. Two trebles in a row with different teams.”
“People were telling me not to go to Italy, because coloured people can have problems there. I did well to ignore that advice.”