Champions League Group B 2018/19: Barcelona paired with Tottenham and Inter

Matt Morley 5 years ago 3.3k |

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Barcelona will face stiff competition in the shape of Spurs and Inter. EFE

Barcelona's desire to make amends for their shock Champions League exit was dealt a blow on Thursday as they were paired with Tottenham, Inter Milan and PSV in the group stages.

The Spanish champions are out for revenge this term, but will have to escape a difficult group in order to be in with any sort of chance of progressing deep into the competition.

Tottenham will prove a stern test, having taken four points of Barca's arch rivals Real Madrid at the same point in the competition last season.

There will also be a familiar foe for the English side in the form of Inter Milan, with the Italians returning to the competition for the first time since 2011/12. The two sides met for the first time back in 2010, when a certain Gareth Bale scored a hat-trick in a 4-3 defeat at the San Siro.

Inter were by far the least attractive proposition from pot 4, with Luciano Spalletti's side hoping to be able to launch an assault on the Serie A title this term.

August 30, 2018

PSV are likely to be no mugs either, having beaten off Ajax to win the Eredivisie title last season. The Dutch side can count the likes of Hirving Lozano and Luuk De Jong among their ranks so there is no shortage of match-winning talent available to the minnows.

Tottenham are keen to make their mark on the Champions League, having been knocked out at the last 16 stage by Juventus last term.

Barcelona, meanwhile, have failed to reach the semi-final stage for the last three years in a row.