Time for Spotify Camp Nou to roar
Spotify Camp Nou can prove decisive this Wednesday October 12. This Champions League match day 4 game, Barça v Inter, is crucial to Xavi and the squad progressing in the premier European club tournament. It's not going to be easy, but Barça will have the eternal support of the Culers in the crowd and history on their side.
Inter Milan have always lost in the Champions League as the away team in Barcelona. Five games, five defeats. The Spotify Camp Nou is undoubtedly a nightmare for the nerazzurri, as they have lost more times there than at any other away ground in the Champions League. Furthermore, it's worth noting that International's last away win to a LaLiga team in the Champions League was in October 2004. Barça will be wanting to extend that record for sure.
A tale of woe for Inter in the CL
The tale of woe in the CL began for the Italians at the Spotify Camp Nou on February 18, 2003. Radomir Antić coached Barça to a comprehensive 3-0 win with a team including players such as Puyol, Saviola, Kluivert, Overmars, Cocu and Xavi. The away side hardly laid a glove during that magical night at home, with L'Équipe using the headline, Barça imperial, to describe the match day 3 game of the second group stage, as they dominated the match to win.
Inter Milan didn't even rouse themselves for the group stage in the 2009/10 season either. 24 November 2009 saw Internazionale again put to the sword. Coached by Guardiola, with a fantastic midfield of Xavi and Iniesta, the team put on a show at Camp Nou. Piqué and Pedro put the finishing touches to this group stage match day five game.
Now, the most memorable encounter that season was the return leg of the semi-finals on 28 April 2010. On that occasion, the side in blue and black managed to leave Camp Nou somewhat happier, as despite a 1-0 defeat, it wasn't enough to overcome the first leg 3-1 defeat and go through to the final. Mourinho built an almost unbreakable wall that day.
The next two games saw a return to successful results against Inter at the Estadi. Barça sealed their fourth win in a row at home in the Champions League on 24 October 2018, when Valverde coached the team to a win against the Italians with Rafinha and Jordi Alba on target. Another win on match day three of the group stage in the hunt for classification for the round of 16.
Only one goal conceded
The final instalment of tale of woe for the Italians was on 2 October 2019, with Luis Suárez scoring a brace, and Lautaro Martínez a consolation goal (2-1). Still playing for Inter Milan, the Argentinian is the only player to have scored in all these previous matches. Only one goal conceded in five games just adds to the positivity around Barça's exploits at home.
Now, Inter's sixth visit to the Spotify Camp Nou is imminent. A crucial clash to maintain hopes of qualifying for the best round of the Champions League, but Barça will have the fans' support for a match against the club with a viper on their crest, who will be wanting to end this tale of woe.