Barca vs Inter First Leg, A Closer Look

Inter were far superior to Barca in every department

The disappointment from the thumping that Barca received from Inter has not yet subsided but still this may be the right time to see what went wrong. To list the factors which went wrong may take a bigger post, but still Barca were found completely lagging behind in all department to an ultra organised Inter Milan side. Pedro Rodriguez has acknowledged the difficulty of the challenge Barca is facing but also criticised the way referee conducted the game. Jose Mourinho immediately criticised the statement, calling Barca players as stars who cannot accept defeat. To an extent, Mourinho is right. There was a clear cut penalty chance for a challenge against Alves, but the referee was right in not giving as Alves was not looking to play the ball. Apart from that and some minor calls, the referee had a very good game. FC Barcelona was beaten truly by a good Inter side which was far superior than them on the night. I still don't understand the problem in accepting that. Another Barca player, Busquets pointed out that the scoreline was excessive, but in my opinion it was a clear reflection of the match.I doubt whether the players have lost their self belief after yesterday's thumping.

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Inter - 3, Barca - 1

Inter Destroys Barca with with a spectacular performance

FC Barcelona's dream of defending their Champions League crown at Bernabeu is in great danger after they came a cropper against a very determined Inter side. Pedro gave Barca an undeserving lead in the 19th minute but Wesley Sneigder, Maico and Milito all scored to register a comfortabale victory for Inter. In the Preview to the match, - Barca vs Inter Preview I have pointed that Guardiola has to get his tactics spot on. But it was a night were he came a distant second to "The Special One". His team's attitude throughout the match was poor and once again he had two unused substitute in a crucial match like this. Many may argue that the long bs journey took by Barca as a big factor in this disppointing performance but for me that is a silly excuse. Most of the players were sloppy, losing possession on more occasion. Even the great Xavi, who had a better night compared to his team-mates was sloppy at times in possession. I did argue a case of the 4-2-3-1 formation, as I was sure that Ibrahimovic would start; but Guardiola went with the traditional 4-3-3 formation. Alves, Puyol, Pique and Maxwell formed the defense in front of Valdes. Keita, Xavi and Busquets the midfield and Messi, Ibra and Pedro formed the front trio.

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Inter vs Barca Preview - The Italian Job

Inter Looks To Stop FC Barcelona from reaching Bernabeu

FC Barcelona will travel to Milan by road after UEFA insisted that the Semi-Finals should gon on despite the disruption of air traffic. San Siro will play host to the first leg of the high profile clash between Spanish Champions Barca and Italian Champions Inter Milan. FC Barcelona has the definite advantage of playing the second leg at home. But Barca should not forget about what happened to Chelsea last season and in this season also. Inter Milan was the one who booted Chelsea out of the competition eventhough they had to play the second leg at Stamford Bridge. Jose Mourinho will be expecting his players show the same spirit as they have displayed against Chelsea. Inter Milan comfrotably saw off Juventus in their weekend fixture whereas FC Barcelona were held to an away draw against Espanyol. Jose Mourinho would have been studying the FC Barcelona vs Espanyol match and would have already come up with some tactics to stop this Barca brigade. The last time these two teams met was in the group stage and FC Barcelona won that one comfortably - FC Barcelona -2, Inter - 0

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