Ansu Fati Helps Barca Defeat Inter Milan’s pace

DBasia.news –  Teen star Ansu Fati buried Inter Milan’s dream of qualifying for the last 16 of the Champions League. This player’s goal helped ensure Barcelona’s 2-1 victory in the final Group F match at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, Milan, Italy, Wednesday.

Inter Milan failed to qualify for the last 16 and had to settle for the fact of caste going to the Europa League because the team directed by Antonio Conte could only finish in third place with seven points. Their position was overtaken by Borussia Dortmund who won 2-1 over Slavia Prague and won 10 points, accompanying Barcelona (14 points) into the last 16 round.

Barcelona’s victory is even more special because it was won without Lionel Messi who deliberately rested Ernesto Valverde for the LaLiga match. Even without Messi, the Blaugrana, in fact, continued to play well in the 3-5-2 tactics that Valverde is not used to (usually 4-3-3 or 4-4-2).

Barcelona dominates possession by 64 percent versus 36 percent, releasing 18 attempted kicks and five on target (two goals). While 18 kicks, eight shots on target Inter, only bear one goal.

One goal was created by Romelu Lukaku in the 44th minute of his shot which was deflected by Samuel Umtiti’s legs. The goal returned the goal scored by Carles Perez in the 23rd minute. Perez previously worked with Arturo Vidal.

Inter diligently pressing (pressure) to try to grab the ball from the mastery of Barca. They scored two-three goals by Lukaku and Lautaro Martinez, but the goals were disallowed because of offside. The entry of Valentino Lazaro, Matteo Politano, and Sebastiano Esposito did not change position.

It is precisely Barcelona who scored the goal ‘killer’ match in minute 86. Just a minute to play on the field, a 17-year-old teenager, Ansu Fati, immediately scored when welcoming assists from Luis Suarez. Barca secured a 2-1 win at Inter headquarters.

Two goals from young players from La Masia academy products. Barcelona are still strong without Lionel Messi, Gerard Pique, Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets who sit on the bench.

Line-up:

Inter Milan (3-5-2): Samir Handanovic; Diego Godin, Stefan de Vrij, Milan Skriniar; Danilo D’Ambrosio (Matteo Politano 75′), Matias Vecino, Marcelo Brozovic, Borja Valero (Sebastiano Esposito 77′), Cristiano Biraghi (Valentino Lazaro 69′); Romelu Lukaku, Lautaro Martinez.

Reservist: Sebastiano Esposito, Antonio Candreva, Alessandro Bastoni, Valentino Lazaro, Federico Dimarco, Matteo Politano, Daniele Padelli.

Coach: Antonio Conte

Barcelona (3-5-2): Net; Jean-Clair Todibo, Samuel Umtiti, Clement Lenglet; Moussa Wague, Arturo Vidal, Carles Alena, Ivan Rakitic (Frenkie de Jong 62′), Junior Firpo; Carles Perez (Ansu Fati 85′), Antoine Griezmann (Luis Suarez 62′).

Reservist: Dani Morer, Ansu Fati, Frenkie de Jong, Luis Suarez, Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Ronald Araujo, Sergio Busquets.

Coach: Ernesto Valverde