Tonight, Seria A league leaders Inter Milan will welcome their Group F counterparts and Champions league group leaders Barcelona, as they look forward to progressing into the Champions league knock out stage. Barcelona have got nothing to lose going into this game, as Ernesto Valverde's side are already through to the next round of the competition. Barcelona are currently leading Group F with 11 poins after 5 games, while Inter and Borussia Dortmund have 7 points each. Slavia Praha help no hope of progressing beyond the group stage as they have only managed 2 points after five games. What this simply means is that Inter Milan and Dortmund will have to battle in their last group match to secure maximum points. Amongst the two teams, Dortmund appear more likely to progress to the next round because they have a less stronger opponent (Slavia praha) to face. But for Inter Milan who are preparing to face Barcelona, it's certainly going to be a mountain to climb for them, and they will need to be at their extra best to get the job done. Their last meeting with the Spanish champions at the Camp Nou saw Barcelona beat them 2-1, and that was because Inter were too resilient.
Good News For INTER
For decades now, there is always a mutual prayer and wish from coaches when playing against Barcelona, and that's "let Messi not be in the line up." Tonight, Inter will be more than confident going into this match as it has been confirmed that Messi and some other first team players like Pique, Ter Stergen, Sergio Roberto etc. will not be taking part in the match. The Argentine no doubt remains a torn in the flesh of any defense that crosses his way, but Inter will be thankful to the Stars as their would-have-been greatest nightmare will not be included in the squad. Messi who just bagged his sixth Ballon d'Or award appears to be at his normal lethal form, and certainly not mood any opponent will like to face him. After netting the only goal to secure a 1-0 win against a highly defensive Athletico Madrid side, the Barcelona captain recently scored his 35 hat trick against Mallorca to fire Ernesto Valverde's side to a 5-2 win. Tonight's lineup without Lionel Messi will be the first time since December 2011 that the Argentine was not included in the squad while he is fit. With the much awaited El Clasico already in sight, Valverde Amy have thought it wise not to risk his talisman against the Nerazzuri, an action that seem not to go down well with Dortmund fans who would have been banking on Barcelona to make the match difficult for Inter to win. Whatever the case may be, Inter Milan are delighted by this news and it will make the whole night easier for them.
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