Inter Milan Vs Barcelona Preview: Champions League

Inter Milan vs Barcelona

Wednesday 16 September 2009, Stadio Giuseppe Meazza (San Siro), Kick-Off: 20:45 CET (19:45 UK Time)

Inter Milan

Inter Milan welcome Barcelona to Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on Wednesday in what must surely be considered the most anticipated fixture of matchday one.

Jose Mourinho, who rarely needs an excuse to feel confident, will fancy his chances and know that he has a confident side entering the match after the 4-0 mauling Inter inflicted on AC Milan in the derby, followed by a 2-0 victory over Parma on Sunday.

Diego Milito has been a man on a mission in recent weeks following his transfer from Genoa. The Argentine striker is looking to continue his good run of form and find his way onto the scoresheet, yet again, as he continues to make steps in his career.

Milito will most likely be partnered with fellow weekend goal-scorer Samuel Eto’o up front in what adds extra spice to this matchup.

Eto’o, who joined Inter in an unusual player swap involving Zlatan Ibrahimovic from Barcelona, will get the chance to face his old team. His adrenaline will most certainly be running high at the possibility of sinking his old team.

Maicon, arguably the best right back in the game, has been playing well in recent weeks for both club and country and should be a key player once again for Jose Mourinho.

Barcelona

Barcelona will travel to Italy in an attempt to kick off the defence of their Champions League title with a win.

Barcelona, who won the Champions League final over Manchester United 2-0, have started their season on a positive note, winning both of their league games, comfortably, and claiming the European Super Cup over Shakhtar Donetsk.

Pep Guardiola will relish the first opportunity to really test his team against a dominant European force in Inter.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who has now scored in both league matches since joining Barcelona from Inter, will likely have the same thought running through his mind as Samuel Eto’o. Ibrahimovic had been a favourite amongst the Inter fans and it should be interesting to see what kind of response he receives upon his return.

Guardiola will also be boosted by the return of Andres Iniesta, who came on as a substitute against Getafe. Iniesta played 32 minutes against the Madrid club in preparation to return to the starting 11.

Lionel Messi, who scored the second goal against Getafe, has been his usual self and will clearly be a worry for Jose Mourinho ahead of the match.

Prediction

This is why the Champions League is the most exciting club competition there is.

Barcelona have to be considered favourites going in, but the world is well aware of what Inter and Jose Mourinho are capable of. All kinds of scenarios involving Eto’o and Ibrahimovic can be drawn, but the players most likely to have the biggest impact in this game both come from Argentina.

Diego Milito has proven himself to be a very good striker who raises his game when it matters most. He has scored goals everywhere he has been and will be out to prove a point now that he’s received an opportunity on this stage.

Sadly for Milito, it is rather fathomable that Lionel Messi will outshine him and lead Barca to victory.

If we eliminate Messi, Milito, Zlatan and Eto’o from the equation, the smart money still has to be on Barcelona, as they’ve got so many different players who could be potential heroes.

It should be a fun one!

Inter vs Barcelona Prediction: Inter 1—Barcelona 2

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