Key tactics as Inter Milan are primed to take the fight to Barcelona

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  • Barcelona travel to the San Siro for their fourth group game in the Champions League against Inter Milan on Tuesday night.

    Luciano Spalletti’s side will enter the encounter with confidence having scored eight goals without reply in their last two games.

    Here, we look at the key tactics as they attempt to get the better of Barca.

    Check out Barcelona’s key tactics here.

    INTER GOING ON THE OFFENSIVE

    Inter tried to soak up pressure at Camp Nou and it didn’t work. With Radja Nainggolan back in action, Spalletti can use the Belgian to get at Barcelona, something many teams have proved possible, most recently Rayo Vallecano.

    Rather than allow the likes of Sergio Busquets and Arthur to dictate proceedings at will, Nainggolan supported by the energetic duo of Ivan Perisic and Matteo Politano can attempt to force Barca off the ball and attack in the transition.

    The dynamic midfielder also offers drive going forward and should he draw in one of the centre-backs, it creates space in behind for Mauro Icardi or a wide player to target.

    STRETCHING THE BACK-LINE

    With the Blaugrana’s full-backs pushed so far up the pitch in possession, those areas will naturally be targeted in the transition. However, what Vallecano did in their 3-2 defeat was use those areas as launching pads rather than a singular route into the final third.

    They always had runners on the far side and would target them with quick cross-field passes, forcing the Barca defence to scramble across, leaving gaping holes in their stretched back-line.

    Inter have been far more direct in their approach since losing the return fixture 2-0. Blessed with mobile wingers who provide quality delivery and runners through the middle in Icardi and Nainggolan, this strategy suits them.

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