UEFA Champions League
Result: Inter Milan 1-1 FC Barcelona
Date: 06 November 2018
Venue: San Siro
FC Barcelona, who were without Lionel Messi, are on the brink of qualifying for the UEFA Champions League knockout stage, despite dropping points away to Inter Milan.
Messi was included in the travelling squad for the encounter, but was left out of the matchday squad and had to watch the game from the stands.
Even without their talisman, Barca threatened quite a bit in the opening 20 minutes, with Luis Suarez and Ousmane Dembele carving out a few chances at goal.
Inter, meanwhile, were happy to counter on the break but they were let down by their decision-making whenever they managed to get into the final third.
Suarez did go close to breaking the deadlock for the visitors shortly before the break, but his stinging volley was palmed away by Samir Handanovic.
The Uruguayan was a constant threat going forward as he carved out another chance after 58 minutes when he played Ivan Rakitic through on goal, but the Croatian could fire straight at Handanovic.
With time running out, Ernesto Valverde withdrew Arthur for Arturo Vidal as the visitors went for a different approach for the final 15 minutes.
It was a fellow substitute, Malcom, who made the difference, as the Brazilian cut onto his left foot to fire a low effort past Handanovic in the 82nd minute.
Four minutes later, Inter were level as Matias Vecino's shot deflected into the path of Mauro Icardi, who sent a low strike past Marc-Andre Ter Stegen.
In the end, 1-1 was how the score the remained as Barca remain top of the group.
