Barcelona 2-1 Inter Milan: 4 Talking Points | UEFA Champions League 2019/20

#3 The Midfield Switch

De Jong got more comfortable in the game once he moved to a deeper role

Ernesto Valverde put on the pitch, what in his own words, he described as the best combination Barcelona had in midfield. Sergio Busquets, Frenkie De Jong and Arthur were outplayed by the Inter trio of Marcelo Brozovic, Stefano Sensi, and Nicolo Barella. The Nerazzurri midfield formed a solid wall in front of their backline of five refusing to budge.

In attack, Sensi and Barella were able to pick out Alexis Sanchez and Lautaro Martinez who were able to put both Lenglet and Gerard Pique in uncomfortable positions. However, Barcelona seemed to transform in the second half, particularly about 10 minutes into the second period when Busquets was replaced by Arturo Vidal.

Vidal did a formidable job of providing more drive and bit to the midfield for Barcelona, but it also meant that Frenkie De Jong could play a more deep role and move the ball around with purpose for Barcelona. Within five minutes of Vidal's arrival on the pitch, he was looping the ball across for Luis Suarez to fire into the back of the net.