UEFA Champions League: Three Reasons Why Barcelona beat Inter Milan

#2 Barcelona controlled the game, no matter what

FC Barcelona v FC Internazionale - UEFA Champions League Group B

It’s been a feature of Barcelona’s gameplay ever since Pep Guardiola took over and it has stuck as a part of Barcelona’s gameplay after the tactical genius left the club. They take the game by the neck and never let go, controlling the tempo and making sure that they and only they are in complete control at all times. With Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Sergio Busquets, Barcelona were at their peak, with the three Spaniard’s in incredible synch at all times.

After Xavi left, things got a little tougher but his departure was aided by the fact that both Andres Iniesta and Lionel Messi, picked up the slack. Now with Iniesta gone, the only remaining men are Messi and Busquets but the addition of Ivan Rakitic and now Arthur Melo has changed things for Barcelona.

They now have their metronome back and with young Arthur Melo still growing and adjusting to Barcelona’s style of play, the Catalan giants were still deadly. Slowly and comfortably passing the ball from side to side, before suddenly with a burst of pace and a smart turn that made a little extra space for somebody to slip in goal-side, bamboozling the defense. Inter Milan held on for as long as they could but in the end, conceded.