Barcelona-Internazionale Preview

Barcelona take on Inter in a mouthwatering clash, with the Blaugrana needing a comprehensive win to advance to the Champions League Final. Humbled in Milan, Barca need to win 2-0, by 3 clear goals, or, they can advance via a penalty shoot-out if regular time + extra-time ends at 3-1.

Inter Milan managed to bring the Barca juggernaut to a shuddering halt in Milan, exposing their defensive frailties, and keeping Messi quieter than he's been since last year's Chelsea game. Mourinho did his job to perfection, meticulously preparing his team tactically and psychologically, and Inter gave their best Champions League performances since the Middle Ages. Barcelona were shocked, swept aside by Inter's counter-attacking verve and and defensive discipline, and their fans will be especially nervous considering Barca's sudden defensive vulnerability.


But anyway, back to tomorrow's game. Barcelona will be playing in front of a sold-out Camp Nou, and with all of Catalunya urging them on. The Catalan papers are drumming up support, exhorting everyone to be in full support of their team. Of course, it isn't really necessary: every Barcelona fan in Spain is aware that their team is in the most difficult situation they've been in since Guardiola took the helm, and that every bit of support is needed to push the team on.

I won't go in to a full tactical analysis, as that's been done before. But there are a couple salient points that should be pointed out.

Barcelona MUST defend their flanks better.
As I pointed out in my earlier preview, Barcelona's weakness is their wing-backs. Alves doesn't defend, and neither left-back is particularly good in attack or in defense. Inter Milan exploited this in the first leg, as was expected, and it was a major reason for Inter's 3-1 victory. Inter Milan will be playing a counter-attacking game, and will look to catch Alves and Maxwell out of position; Barcelona simply cannot afford to let this happen, otherwise Inter will get that crucial away goal.


Barcelona must figure out how to open up Internazionale's defence. 
Inter will likely be very defensive, knowing that if they can repeat Chelsea's super-catenaccio performance from last year, they will advance to the final. If Barcelona start with Ibrahimovic flanked by Messi and Henry, they will play in to Inter's hands. Lucio and Samuel are both big and physical, and will be able to snuff out Ibra's threat. Of course, Ibrahimovic is capable of truly brilliant moments, but given the way he's played so far this year, it is unlikely that he'll be doing anything special. While Messi is capable of slicing through just about any defence, Inter's experienced defenders already showed how capable they are of marking and closing off space for Messi to run in to. Perhaps Guardiola would do well to spring a surprise and start Messi in the middle, where his massive speed advantage over the two centerbacks could change the complexion of the tie. With Henry and Pedro on the flanks, Barcelona's trident attack would possess far more speed than it would possess with Ibra; even with Inter likely to pack the box with defenders, Messi's speed and dribbling in the middle would be far more difficult for Inter's lumbering centerbacks to contain than the slower and more cumbersome Ibra.


Barcelona's Defence
Barcelona's defence was uncharacteristically lax against Inter in the first leg; a repeat performance will most definitely see them out of the competition. Milito and Eto'o are both excellent finishers, and just one goal for Inter will in all likelihood be enough for the Italians to advance. Eto'o's speed and Milito's off-the-ball intelligence mean that Piquet and Milito (the defender) will need to be very alert. Sneijder is likely to play, despite his "injury" last week, and his long-range shooting coupled with his incisive passing mean that Barcelona's defense cannot let itself be drawn out of formation. Whoever is screening the defence, Busquets or Toure, will have to  keep a very close eye on Sneijder, as he can put the ball on a plate for the forwards if he is given the time and space.

Key Players

Barcelona
Lionel Messi: The little man is a brilliant footballer, but was rather quiet in the last leg. Constantly shadowed by Cambiasso and Zanetti, Messi didn't have the space or time to do anything. He is likely to have an even more difficult job this time, with Inter sure to be holding at least 7 men behind the ball at all times. He is Barcelona's best chance at breaking Inter's resistance, with his speed and dribbling more dangerous to a deep and packed defense than even Xavi's wonderful passes. Messi doesn't even need to score, if he can draw fouls and unsettle Inter's defence, then Henry, Pedro, and Ibrahimovic will have a much easier time finding space and time in the box.

Internazionale
Julio Cesar: Over the last two or three years, he has become one of the best goalkeepers in the world. Last year, he was invincible for Inter, a key part of their scudetto-winning team. Earlier this year, his form dipped however, and he hasn't quite recovered his confidence and form from last year. If he has a good game for Inter, organizing the defence and handling the ball safely, then they will be well on their way, but if he reverts to spilling shots, then Barcelona will show no mercy.

Prediction:
Barcelona 2-1 Internazionale
Barcelona will monopolize possession, but will fail to score more than twice against Inter's strong defence. Expect Inter to get a goal on the counter, and this will be enough to get them through to the final, no matter how much Barca huff and puff.