INTER EARN LATE 1-1 DRAW WITH BARCELONA AT THE MEAZZA

Mauro Icardi cancelled out Malcom's opener late on, with the Nerazzurri now just two matches away from the last 16

MILAN - Heart, desire and brains. Inter were able to hold off a Barcelona side that looked to be in control for large spells, with Icardi responding soon after Malcom broke the deadlock late on. The Nerazzurri’s qualification hopes will now depend on what happens in London where a draw will likely be enough to secure a spot in the last sixteen.

The Champions League anthem initially rang out before kick-off, as the atmosphere went up a level at San Siro.

However, Barcelona still started off on the front foot with Dembelè forcing Handanovic into a save in the second minute after some interplay on the edge of the area.

The Catalans continued to press and in the twelfth minute, Suarez did well to create some space for himself but his left-foot strike flew over.

In response, Inter managed to get forward in the 19th minute. Perisic played in a low cross for Asamoah but he was unfortunate when attempting to knock it goalwards. Suarez was the danger man again in the 22nd minute when his chipped effort narrowly missed the target. Rakitic then tried his luck from outside the box two minutes later but his strike went wide.

Halfway through the first half, the Blaugrana continued to look for the opening goal. At a corner, Suarez went close again after linking up with Pique but his shot went wide.

Coutinho then fired off a powerful strike in the 37th that took a dangerous-looking bounce off the wet turf but Handanovic was ready to deal with it.

Samir was there again to keep out the Uruguayan in the 42nd minute after he pounced on a fortunate bounce but the second half finished goalless.

There were no changes at the interval, yet with Barcelona still looking to dominate in possession. Inter responded in the 52nd minute, however, when a cross from Perisic was intercepted by Ter Stegen. Barcelona were then back to it instantly after, with Coutinho forcing yet another save from Handanovic. It was then Vecino next to try his luck, although his acrobatic effort flew over the crossbar.

Barcelona then had the ball in the back of the net through Suarez, only for the goal to be disallowed for initially going out of play. The Blaugrana continued to press, with Handanovic forced into yet another save from Coutinho in the 63rd minute.

The Nerazzurri soon began to find their rhythm, and Politano headed just wide in the 64th minute following a cross from Perisic.

In conjunction with the ebb and flow of the game, Barca then had another chance but neither Dembele or Suarez could beat Handanovic.

That was not until the 83rd minute, when substitute Malcom fired his side in front with a fine left-footed finish.

Despite going a goal down Inter never gave up and Spalletti soon sent on Lautaro to try and instil some attacking vibrancy.

This offensive ambition paid off in the 87th minute, as Captain Mauro Icardi equalised from close-range by firing the ball through the legs of Ter Stegen.

The match ultimately finished 1-1 at the Meazza, with the Nerazzurri taking one small step forward in potentially reaching the last 16.

 

INTER (4-2-3-1): 1 Handanovic; 2 Vrsaljko, 37 Skriniar, 6 De Vrij, 18 Asamoah; 8 Vecino, 77 Brozovic (85' 10 Lautaro); 16 Politano (81', 87 Candreva), 14 Nainggolan  (63' 20 B. Valero), 44 Perisic; 9 Icardi

Substitutes: 27 Padelli, 11 Keita, 23 Miranda, 33 D'Ambrosio.

Coach: Luciano Spalletti

 

FC BARCELONA (4-3-3): 1 Ter Stegen; 20 Sergi Roberto, 3 Piquè, 15 Lenglet, 18 Jordi Alba; 4 Rakitic, 5 Busquets, 8 Arthur (74' 22 Vidal); 11 Dembelè (81' 14 Malcom), 9 Suarez, 7 Coutinho

Substitutes: 13 Cillessen, 2 Semedo, 12 Rafinha, 26 Castillo, 36 Chumi

Coach: Ernesto Valverde

 

Bookings:  42' Rakitic, 84' Brozovic, 88' Perisic

Referee: Marciniak

Assistants: Sokolnicki, Listkiewicz

Additional Assistant Officials: Rackzowski, Musial

Fourth official: Siejka


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