A Inter Milan held the attack trio Barcelona this afternoon (4) and scored a major group stage win of Champions League: 1-0 at Giuseppe Meazza’s home in Milan (Italy), he secured himself with a goal from Çalhanoglu, again in the first half. The VAR played a decisive role in the game.
First, in a possible penalty for Inter, excluded for offside. Correa then shoots for goal, but is caught in an irregular position. In the last phase Pedri even equalized, but Ansu Fati touched the ball with his hand and once again the technology corrected. The VAR still had one more chance to be the protagonist, in a possible penalty from Dumfries in recovery time, including a touch of hand, but advised against a revision. The move rebelled the Spaniards.
The result makes the Azzurri jump to second place in Group C of the Champions League, with six points. Barça remain at three and will have to beat their opponent in the 4th round, at the Camp Nou, in order not to further complicate themselves in terms of key. The duel takes place on 12.
Before that, the clubs regained their focus on national leagues. Inter will visit Sassuolo for the Italian next Saturday (8), at 10 (GMT). Barça will face Celta on Sunday (9), at 16 (GMT), at the Camp Nou.
Calhanoglu decides
In a game cut short with few clear scoring chances, Çalhanoglu excelled. The midfielder took one of the rare missed chances and was required to hit Ter Stegen’s corner. The goal reassured Inter and left Inter more comfortable in their strategy: scoring strong against the Catalan attack.
Raphina plays the game outside
Raphina scored closely against Inter
Image: Marco BERTORELLO / AFP
Playing on the left wing of the attack of Barcelona, reversed with respect to the sector in which he is comfortable in Brazilian team, Raphina had a boring performance. Well marked, she couldn’t give up or have depth in one-on-one. Marcos Alonso occupied the corridor and forced the Brazilian to head towards the center. He was replaced in the final round by Ansu Fati.
The impediments frustrate the Italians
Inter have been frustrated on two occasions to open the scoring in the first half. The referee was advised to see Eric García handball inside the box, which would result in a penalty for the home team in the 25th minute. The VAR, however, saw Lautaro offside early in the game and canceled the foul action. A few minutes later, Correa was released, dribbled Ter Stegen and scored the goal. Also in this case an irregular position was reported.
Inter explores counter-attacks
Inter had a well-defined strategy to face Lewandowski, Rafhinha and Démbélé. He opted for a low score, to reduce Barça’s field of action, and explored the counterattack. Interestingly, the home team scored in touch ball. Pressed by the Spaniards, Inter exchanged passes, got out of the pressure and arrived with six players ahead. In the marking the choice of Inzaghi had an effect.
Barcelona suffers from a setback
Barça had almost 70% possession of the ball in the first half of the duel against Inter, also playing in Italy. In their own way, the Catalan team dominated the match, but lacked inspiration in attack. Well marked, the offensive trio did not shine and had little offensive volume. Exchanges, including Raphina’s departure for Ansu Fati’s entry, have improved the creation over the past 20 minutes.
game history
Inter managed to open the scoring in the first half. In a rare moment when they came under pressure on offense and didn’t start on the break, the home team came in with six players ahead. Çalhanoglu takes a shot from the left and, free from marking, kicks from outside the box, in a corner, to overturn the net in the 46th minute of the first half.
In the final stage, Barça had a goal canceled by Pedri. Before the young man took Onana’s surplus and sent it to the net, however, there is a touch on Ansu Fati’s hand. The referee was called by the VAR, went to the monitor and ruled it out.
Data sheet
INTER MILAN 1X0 BARCELONA
Competition: Champions League, 3rd round group C.
Local: Giuseppe Meazza Stadium in Milan (Italy)
Date and time: October 4, 2022, at 4pm (GMT)
Referee: Slavko Vincic
Auxiliaries: Tomaz Klancnik and Andraz Kovacic
yellow cards: Stretcher, Çalhanoglu, Lautaro Martínez, Inzaghi, Bastoni and Onana (Inter Milan); Busquets, Xavi Hernández and Gavi (Barcelona)
Goals: Çalhanoglu, at 46 ‘1st
INTER MILAN: Onana; Screener, De Vrij (Acerbi), Bastoni; Darmian (Gosens), Barella, Mkhitaryan, Çalhanoglu (Asllani), Dimarco (Dumfries); Lautaro Martinez and Joaquin Correa (Dzeko). Technician: Simone Inzaghi.
BARCELONA: Ter Stegen; Sergi Roberto, Christensen (Pique), Eric Garcia, Marcos Alonso (Alex Balde); Busquets, Pedri, Gavi (Kessie); Rafinha (Ansu Fati), Lewandowski and Dembele. Technician: Xavi Hernandez.
