UEFA Champions League 2018-19, Inter Milan 1-1 Barcelona: 5 Hits and Flops from the game

Barcelona were held to a 1-1 draw at the San Siro on Tuesday after Mauro Icardi's late equalizer cancelled out a one-goal cushion that the visitors had established in the 83rd minute through Malcom, who netted his first goal for the club since joining in the summer.

Ernesto Valverde's men dominated the majority of possession, as you would expect in any game, but struggled to create any notable clear-cut chances albeit testing Samir Handanovic through Luis Suarez and Philippe Coutinho in the first half.

The game continued to pan out in similar fashion in the second half as the home side were more than comfortable in conceding possession and maintaining their organised defensive shape.

Malcom, who was reduced to tears after scoring the Spanish champions' opening goal, seemed to have secured all three points, but Icardi popped up in the 87th minute to salvage a point for Luciano Spalletti's men in Group B.

However, Barcelona have ensured their safe passage to the knockout stages of the UEFA Champions League despite the result while Inter will next travel to Wembley at the end of this month in what could prove to be a crucial encounter for both parties involved in the race for second place.

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#5 Hit: Malcom

Malcom made an instant impact for Barcelona

Malcom has not endured smooth-sailing since arriving in Barcelona from Bordeaux during the summer after struggling to fit into Ernesto Valverde's plans so far this season.

The Brazilian, who snubbed AS Roma on his way to the Nou Camp during the transfer window, had been restricted to just three games and 105 minutes of playing time prior to the Champions League clash with Inter.

However, Valverde's decision to throw him on in the 81st minute paid off handsomely as the winger made an instant impact when he scored just two minutes after coming on from the bench.

Malcom picked up the ball on the edge of the penalty area before driving a low shot beyond Samir Handanovic, who could have maybe done better to keep that out.

The 21-year-old is a product of the Corinthians youth academy and marked his Champions League debut with a goal that might just give him a consideration for more involvement with the first team from now.

#4 Flop: Ivan Perisic

Perisic struggled to make the best use of his opportunities

Ivan Perisic was not the worst player on the pitch, but given his quality, it is safe to say that he had a rather disappointing outing against Barcelona.

The Croatian took up a few promising positions inside the visitors' final third and failed to make the best use of the half-chances that came his way.

The 29-year-old, who was instrumental during Croatia's run to the World Cup final in Russia this summer, was left out as a frustrating figure out on the flanks as his lack of creativity meant that the hosts struggled to gain the upper hand over Barcelona.

Perisic's final ball was lacking and poor throughout the majority of the game and he shot agonizingly wide or over whenever he sensed an opportunity to take aim at the visitors' goal, which is quite uncharacteristic by his usual standards.

#3 Hit: Philippe Coutinho

Coutinho was miles ahead of his counterparts in midfield

Philippe Coutinho was arguably Barcelona's best player on the night as he continued to cause problems to the hosts from wide areas and while drifting inside whenever he had space and time to do so.

The Brazilian was involved extensively in almost everything the visitors knitted together on the night and tested Samir Handanovic's shot-stopping abilities from time to time.

The 26-year-old has made the transition from being a central play-maker to a menacing wide man under Ernesto Valverde at the Nou Camp and is increasingly looking likely to establish himself as an influential figure at the club for years to come.

Coutinho's nimble movement and burst of pace proved to be a challenge to the hosts as they fought tooth and nail to try and nullify the talented Brazilian, who showed no signs of slowing down or sympathy as he squared up against players and beat them at will.

#2 Flop: Ousmane Dembele

Dembele needs to tackle his consistency issues at Barcelona

Ousmane Dembele was electric at the weekend during the comeback win over Rayo Vallecano for Barcelona in La Liga, but he failed to replicate a similar kind of form against Inter during the Champions League clash on Tuesday.

The pacey winger was certainly not at his best and slipped under the radar yet again despite Barcelona dominating the majority of possession.

The 21-year-old, who arrived at the Nou Camp on the back of a €105m transfer from Borussia Dortmund last summer, has struggled to justify his price-tag until now due to the inconsistency that has marred him ever since his big-money move to Spain.

Dembele's performance against Inter was the perfect testament to how life has panned out for him with the Blaugrana.

He failed to kick on from his inspiring performance coming off the bench against Rayo Vallecano on Sunday when he seemed to inhibit Barcelona's attack rather than facilitate it in the first place.

Luis Suarez grew impatient with the Frenchman and was visibly frustrated while directing instructions to the youngster, who was removed in the 81st minute for goal-scorer Malcom.

#1 Hit: Samir Handanovic

Handanovic managed to keep Barcelona at bay for prolonged periods

Samir Handanovic was a strong presence between the sticks for the Nerazzurri as he managed to keep the Barcelona attackers and their onslaught at bay for prolonged periods during the game.

The Slovenian shot-stopper made notable saves from Philippe Coutinho and Luis Suarez to ensure that the teams entered half-time like how they started the game.

Furthermore, Handanovic grew in confidence as the game entered the second half and produced a number of crucial saves from the usual suspects of Barcelona as he continued to keep the hosts in the game with his pivotal contributions in goal.

The custodian will be disappointed with the fact that the ball sort of crept underneath him and hit the back of the net when Malcom opened the scoring, but credit to the winger because it was struck with good pace and swerve.

However, it amounted to very little as Inter clawed their way back through Mauro Icardi's equalizer to restore Handanovic's numero uno status from the game.