PBP: UEFA Champions League - Matchday 3 | FC Barcelona v Inter Milan | 24 October 2018 [R]

With Messi out the easiest thing to do is get Dembele back to starting, after Arthur essentially forced his way into starting, bumping Coutinho up to forward or very attacking 4th mid. That is what I predict, as for Roberto vs. Semedo, I predict EV starts Roberto. Rest writes itself, grand once but with Lenglet where Umtiti would be but for injury.

 

Problem solved!

🗣[@samuelmarsden] | Hristo Stoichkov pops up at the end of Valverde's press conference to suggest that he could replace Lionel Messi tomorrow against Inter! pic.twitter.com/ZlOH1wXgUR

— BarçaTimes (@BarcaTimes) October 23, 2018

 

Chumi is as Vermaelen and Umtiti still out. The big change of course is Malcolm makes a squad with Messi out. I don't think he starts (I see Dembele getting the nod) but would love to see him get some minutes in this game, and maybe a start at least in the CdR game (when we need to rest all starters).

It'll be Busi's 100th game in European competition.

Radja Nainggolan confirmed to miss the game, here's the full list (la masia in bold):

Goalkeepers: 1 Handanovic, 27 Padelli, 46 Berni

Defenders: 2 Vrsaljko, 6 De Vrij, 13 Ranocchia, 18 Asamoah, 23 Miranda, 33 D'Ambrosio, 37 Skriniar

Midfielders: 8 Vecino, 20 Borja Valero, 44 Perisic, 77 Brozovic

Forwards: 9 Icardi, 10 Lautaro Martinez, 11 Keita Balde, 16 Politano, 87 Candreva

 

It would be awesome to get a win tomorrow. Lessens the pressure for the other matchdays and the team can focus more on La Liga for a couple of months. I expect it to be tough though!

 

Forgot Inter. Put Hristo in the lineup this weekend and allow him to introduce himself to Sergio Ramos.

 

So the BIG surprise is RAFINHA gets a start where I thought Dembele would start in Messi's absence. Otherwise, not a big surprise that Roberto is back in place of Semedo. What is less clear is whether Rafinha plays as a 3rd forward (LW or False 9) with Suarez and Coutinho, or if we play more of a 4-4-2 with Rafinha adding to the midfield.

One intersting wrinkle is that Rafinha knows Inter well from playing with them from January-May last season and ultimately becoming a regular starter there.

Assuming 4-3-3 this seems likely

MAtS
Roberto-Pique-Lenglet-Alba
Raki-Busi-Arthur
Rafinha-Suarez-Coutinho
​

Could even see something more like this, though it lacks some width:

MAtS
Pique-Lenglet
Roberto----Busi------Alba
Raki--Arthur
Rafinha--Coutinho
Suarez​

 

Rafinha playing while Dembele , Malcom and Vidal on the bench .. what a ********ing joke

heck knowing our genius coach he might replace him in the second half with Munir to make things better

*Waits for the Valverde's defense Lawyers as usual to see what BS they come up with this time*

 

Probably one of the most important games of the season without Messi.

 

What a freaking pass from Suarez , Rafinha with the easy tab in which honestly after seeing him shoot with both feet i'd say it's the only way he could score by

 

As someone who wants Dembele to play, Rafinha looks lively so far.

 

Camp Nou attendance

88,712 Sat 20 Oct Sevilla 20:45
86,290 Wed 24 Oct Internazionale (UCL) 21:00
78,015 Sat 29 Sept Athletic Bilbao 16:15
76,055 Sun 23 Sept Girona 20:45
73,462 Tue 18 Sept PSV Eindhoven (UCL) 18:55
71,057 Sun 2 Sept Huesca 18:30
70,089 Wed 15 Aug Boca Juniors (Gamper) 18:15
52,356 Sat 18 Aug Alavés 22:15

 

Matteo Politano.
Isn’t that Atletico’s ground? pic.twitter.com/J4EW65LuFa

— Sid Lowe (@sidlowe) October 24, 2018