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All is well that ends well. And so congratulations to all‘Inter that after the 3-1 in the semifinal of 2010 returns to beat the Barcelona and rises to second place in the group behind the Bayern. In a week at the Camp Nou we will have to maintain this advantage, but in the meantime it is already important to have defended until the last second of the 98 ‘the very precious 1-0 signed by Calhanoglu at the end of the first half. For the series “the result counts” it does not matter that Barcelona played more and deserved at least the draw, first touched with a goal canceled by the Var and then with a penalty not always granted by the Var, because Inter had the I deserve to resist athletically and psychologically in the most difficult moments of the race.
Dimarco in constant growth, Darmian on the other lane and the cup goalkeeper Onana were the great protagonists of a mainly defensive match, resolved by a great shot from the Turkish. But more generally an award to Inter for his fierce concentration and above all for his team spirit that strengthens the bench of Inzaghi and relaunches the Nerazzurri in Champions. The maximum, thinking about the difficulties of the match and the value of the opponents, starting with the feared but blunt Lewandowski.
TRUST CORREA – Inzaghi prefers his controversial pupil Correa to the most experienced Dzeko as a companion in the attack of the irreplaceable Lautarowhile in the theoretical role of director left uncovered by the injured party Brozovic there is Calhanoglu and not Asllanibetween Mkhitaryan And Stretcher. The module, of course, is the untouchable 3-5-2 with De Vrij commanding the department in line with the captain Skriniar And Sticks, but in reality it almost constantly morphs into a more defensive 5-3-2. The Barcelonain fact, he closes the Nerazzurri in his own half, pushing on the side flanks with Dembelè and Raphinha who force their respective neighbors Dimarco and Darmian to relegate in line with the three starting defenders.
CALHANOGLU TRIES US – Returned to the command of the Ligathe team of Xavi triangles better in midfield with Pedri And Gavi that move to the sides of the captain Busquetsbut never manages to unmark the feared Lewandowskidespite the great work of the two outsiders of the attack trident. And so it is Inter to go first close to scoring with Calhanoglu who from outside the box starts a great strong but central shot, raised over the crossbar by Ter Stegen. It is the anticipation of what will happen at the end of the first half with few chances and a big discussion on 23 ‘, after an evident touch of Eric Garcia with the outstretched hand. The Nerazzurri ask for the penalty but the referee, recalled by the Var, after seeing the images on the monitor surprises everyone by making it clear that Lautaro was offside, albeit millimeter, so there is no penalty.
AND THEN SUCCESS – Onana, who replaces Handanovic as in the two previous Champions League matches, is limited to ordinary administration because Barcelona pushes but does not sting, while his colleague Ter Stegen after the great initial save on Calhanoglu has to surrender in the first of three minutes of recovery to another conclusion from outside the Turkish area, unmarked by a beautiful combination between the two excellent external Dimarco-Darmian. The best way to go to the interval, with the hope of not getting back together another time as has already happened in three of the four defeats in the league, against Milan, Udinese and Roma.
DRAW CANCELED – The first 10 minutes of the second half are enough to understand that Barcelona are more than ever in the game, because they attack even more than before. And then Inzaghi calls back Correarelaunching Dzeko who knows how to better protect the ball on the trocar. Xavi, on the other hand, inserts Baldè and Piquè for Marcos Alonso and Christensen in defense, and Ansu Fati for Raphinha on the wing. They seem good moves because Barcelona, who had already forced Onana to a difficult push against Dembelè, equalized with Pedri good at exploiting a mess between De Vrij and Onana. The referee, however, again recalled by the Var, cancels for a handball by Ansu Fati, decisive to unmark Pedri.
ASSAULT BARCELONA – The growing pressure of Barcelona induces Inzaghi to reinforce the wings. And so Dumfries and Gosens take over the juices Darmian and Dimarco, with the further addition of Acerbi in place of the uncertain De Vrij. In truth, nothing changes, because Inter are increasingly crushed in their own penalty area. The applause for Calhanoglu, replaced by Asllani, is a welcome spot that breaks the siege of the Catalansbut when the speaker announces that there will be 8 ‘of recovery from the stands, a roar of fear rises. No breath, however, when the referee stops the game at 91 ‘and waits for indications from the Var for a suspicious touch of Dumfries’ hands. They are interminable moments, ended with another roar, this time of liberation, because the Dutchman’s intervention is not considered a penalty. It’s over, says Inzaghi from the bench, but Onana flies to block the last ball and only when the 98 ‘has already passed by 27 seconds does the final whistle arrivewhich definitively dispels fear and relaunches Inter in Europe.
Inter-Barcelona, the match report
INTER (3-5-2): Onana; Skriniar, De Vrij (31 ‘st Acerbi), Sticks; Darmian (31 ‘st Gosens), Barella, Calhanoglu (40’ st Asslani), Mkhitaryan, Dimarco (31 ‘st Dumfries); Correa (12 ‘st Dzeko), Lautaro. Available: Handanovic, Botis, Gagliardini, Bellanova, D’Ambrosio, Carboni, Zanotti. All.:Inzaghi.
BARCELONA (4-3-3): Ter Stegen; Sergi Roberto, Christensen (14 ‘st Piquè), Eric Garcia, Marcos Alonso (19’ st Balde); Gavi (39 ‘st Kessie), Busquets, Pedri; Dembelé, Lewandowski, Raphinha (19 ‘st Ansu Fati). Available: Inaki Pena, Tenas, Ferran Torres, Jordi Alba, Casado, Torre. Coach: Xavi.
REFEREE: Vincic (Slo)
MARKER: 47 ‘pt Calhanoglu (I)
NOTE: Bookings: Barella, Calhanoglu, Lautaro (I); Busquets, Gavi, Dembelé (B); Recovery: 3 ‘pt, 8’ st.
