Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the Champions League match.
The thrilling 3:3 draw in the first leg between Inter Milan and Barcelona has set the stage for a captivating second-leg encounter in Milan. Another high-scoring contest seems likely, although key absences within the Inter Milan squad could limit their attacking output.
Inter Milan
Inter Milan ended a five-match winless run with a narrow 1:0 victory over Hellas Verona on Saturday. At the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, Simone Inzaghi opted for a heavily rotated lineup, even resting the first-choice goalkeeper, which resulted in only two shots on target. In the first leg in Catalonia, Inter Milan impressed thanks to a standout display from the winger on the flank (2+1), but the Dutch winger will now be without several key teammates, including the captain and attacking talisman, who is out injured.
Barcelona
Barcelona will be without a key defender, though a capable replacement is expected to step in. The team have won 12 of their last 15 matches in all competitions and have scored fewer than two goals in only four of those outings. On Saturday, Barcelona also rotated their squad in a 2:1 La Liga win over Real Valladolid, with substitutes coming off the bench to help secure the result.
Inter Milan vs Barcelona Prediction
Barcelona's strong recent form gives them the upper hand heading into the clash in Milan, while Inter Milan are likely to once again rely on counter-attacking play. The hosts’ strategy may be predictable, but the visitors have the quality to shift gears at any moment. We are backing a safe handicap (0) on the away side.
