Inter Milan vs Barcelona Live Reddit Soccer 12 October 2022
Ahead of a crucial UEFA Champions League tie against Inter Milan, Barcelona face plenty of injury troubles in what is a must-win game. Anything other than a victory could be dangerous for Barcelona, with the wounds of last season’s UCL group stage exit still fresh in everyone’s minds. Alongside the manager Xavi Hernandez, new signing Marcos Alonso spoke to the media to chart out what to expect from the side during the game. On facing Inter: “Inter are a great team, very well drilled tactically and very physical too. We are also working well and we arrive at a good moment. They have a very nice stadium. This has to give us more motivation. It will be difficult, but we’re in a good moment and we hope to win.” On settling into the side: “Little by little I’m adapting to the new team, the new coach and the new teammates. I am happy, that is my job, to adapt to what the coach needs.”
On playing as a central defender: “It wouldn’t be the first time I’ve played in that position, my main desire is to play so if Xavi wants me to, I’ll try to give my best even if it’s not my ideal position.” On Barcelona’s CL hopes: “It’s too early to talk about whether we can win this UCL, now it’s time to think about tomorrow… It’s too early to think about whether or not we are candidates for the title.” On the La Liga race: “The important thing is to be leaders at the end and not now. Obviously it’s better to be there now, but we have to keep improving so that the results keep coming.
Their Champions League campaign can be rescued with positive results against the Blaugrana, yet the Italian coach was quick to point out the talent at Barcelona’s disposal. “They are very strong and complete, they are one of the three teams in Europe that play the best football,” Inzaghi detailed in his pre-match press conference. “We clearly know the importance of the match. “They have incredible aggressiveness in ball recoveries and they know how to do everything in possession. They have also added Lewandowski, who is a great player.” When quizzed on his own position as Inter coach, the former Italian international spoke candidly about recent challenges. “We know that we come from a difficult moment in terms of results,” he added. “In my opinion, we played well on Saturday and we deserved more.
A first loss to the Giallorossi since 2017 leaves them stranded adrift of Serie A’s top six, and suffering four defeats in eight matches equals the Milan club’s slowest start to a season throughout their top-flight history. Again ponderous on the ball, Inter clearly missed the absent Marcelo Brozovic and Romelu Lukaku, but another setback means support for Inzaghi is slowly draining away among the Nerazzurri’s fanatical fanbase. One of five victories this term came last time out in the Champions League, as they got off the mark in a competitive Group C by beating Czech champions Viktoria Plzen 2-0, with Edin Dzeko and Denzel Dumfries scoring either side of their hosts going down to 10 men.
Previously, they had lost by the same scoreline at home to Bayern, but they have tended to fare much better at San Siro in recent times: before their setback against Roma, they had won each of their last seven home games in the league – keeping four clean sheets in the process.As Inter have won only once from five meetings with Barcelona in Milan, though, they will need to overcome precedent to pick up maximum points this week. There is every chance Bayern will sprint into the distance by sweeping past Plzen, so back-to-back matches against the Blaugrana could be decisive.
Barcelona’s Robert Lewandowski celebrates scoring their first goal with Jordi Alba and Gavi on October 1, 2022Having failed to make it through the group stage of last season’s Champions League, finishing third behind Bayern and Benfica, a rejuvenated Barcelona will not want to suffer the same fate again. It is now seven years since they last lifted the continent’s top trophy, but recent events suggest Xavi’s current crop could be among the contenders to prevail in Istanbul next June. Thanks to some slick accounting manoeuvers, the Catalan giants were able to add a number of players to their squad over the summer, including star striker Robert Lewandowski, who scored again on Saturday – his ninth goal of the season proving the difference versus Mallorca.
