Barcelona v Inter Milan - Preview and possible lineups

TEAM NEWS:

Barcelona: It goes without saying that Lionel Messi is the main absence for the 'Blaugrana', who is out with an injured arm. 

Having started Saturday's win over Sevilla on the bench, Sergi Roberto is likely to replace Nelson Semedo in a like-for-like change at right-back, but other alterations - enforced or otherwise - are expected to be kept to a minimum.

Inter Milan: Radja Nainggolan is a huge blow for the visitors - he is out with an ankle injury. 

Ivan Perisic and Marcelo Brozovic are also carrying knocks, however are expected to be passed fit for one of the picks of this term's group-stage clashes.

Dalbert, Roberto Gagliardini and Joao Mari are all ineligible for the tie. 

Barcelona manager Ernesto Valverde: “They’ve hit on their best form of the season so far.

“And they’re a team that creates a lot of deep pressure. They like to play attacking football in the opposition’s half.

“It will be a nice game because we’re playing for top spot in the group. Whoever wins will make huge progress towards qualifying in first place.

“We have to use the Camp Nou to our advantage” he concluded. “It has to be us that strikes first.”

Inter Milan manager Luciano Spalletti: “When you come up against an opponent like this, one of the strongest teams in the world with talent in every position, it’s normal not be favourites.

"However, we must be confident, without drifting into arrogance due to the good run that we’re having. We must put in a performance of great effort and mental substance. We should take onto the pitch all of the love that we have for this sport and all the sufferings of our fans from the last few years.

"We will treat this as a key match, hugely important.“For those in my profession, you can’t change your attitude just for one player. It’s clear that Messi is a different footballer. When you think you’ve seen it all in football, he makes you see things differently. Barcelona would obviously be stronger with him, but they still have a lot of top players so we must make sure that we’re not dominated by the opposition.

"The most important thing tomorrow evening will be to control the ball in the right manner. We must show ambition during these matches and play teams of this level without dropping off. It all starts from having the right attitude to face up to what happens during the course of a game. However, my team is well aware of the task in hand and won’t be surprised.”

FORM:

Did you know?

Both sides have made perfect starts to their respective Champions League campaigns. 

Barca and Inter have met on just six previous occasions, each coming in the last 15 years.

Barca have won all three previous home matches against Inter, scoring six goals without conceding.

Prediction: 2-0 Barcelona

Barcelona possible starting lineup:
Ter Stegen; Roberto, Pique, Lenglet, Alba; Rakitic, Busquets, Arthur; Dembele, Suarez, Coutinho.

Inter Milan possible starting lineup:
Handanovic; Vrsaljko, De Vrij, Skriniar, Asamoah; Brozovic, Vecino; Perisic, Martinez, Politano; Icardi​.