UEFA Champions League: 3 Reasons why Barcelona only managed a point at San Siro

It took everything for a Lionel Messi –less Barcelona to win the last time both Inter Milan and Barcelona got together, but the home side did very well winning 2-0. However coming to the San Siro was always going to be tougher, with Inter usually playing very well in front of their own fans and at their own ground and today wasn’t any different. While both sides battled to open the scoring, Barcelona had the advantage with Malcom walking off the bench to open the scoring.

In the end, it was some great defensive work combined with Barcelona’s quality that should have had the away side in the lead at least a few times. Milan Skirniar and Stefan De Virj were rather good at the back for the home side and did well against Philippe Coutinho, Luis Suarez and even Ousmane Dembele.

But the Catalan giants had the lion’s share of possession which they used to their advantage until Mauro Icardi put the ball past Marc Andre Ter-Stegen four minutes after Malcom scores. Things could have been worse for either side, especially Barcelona as Inter Milan put up a rather incredible fight. However, after a great 90 odd minutes of football, the game ended deservedly level giving third-place Tottenham a mountain to climb.

Here are three reasons why Barcelona drew with Inter Milan.

#3 Ousmane Dembele has got to improve

He arrived from Borussia Dortmund after a rather staggering season with the Bundesliga giants, but at the same time, Dembele arrived in the shadow of Neymar’s disappearance. Replacing someone many then considered to be Lionel Messi’s heir for Barcelona, is a tough burden to put on anyone let alone a mere 20 years old just finishing his first full season in a major European League.

However, with Barcelona over-paying in the aftermath of Neymar’s €220 million fee, Ousmane Dembele arrived with insanely large expectations. And as a few pundits expected, with Barcelona failing to get Philippe Coutinho that summer, their main target, Dembele suffered both from form issues and injuries, with the Frenchman injured barely three games into his Barcelona career. This was a large chunk of his debut season, and with the 21-year-old starting this season fresh, he was expected to do much better.

The Frenchman started off brilliantly scoring and providing goals, but since late September, things have dried up and Dembele has lost manager Ernesto Valverde’s trust. With Lionel Messi out injured, many expected the 21 year old to get more game time but that has been the exact opposite, and today showed why. Even on the ball, Dembele stifled the attack frustrating the likes of Luis Suarez and Coutinho himself, with the Urugyuan taking it upon himself to talk to the Frenchman and help him out.

This is not the bright eyed and bushy tailed youngster who made himself a menace with his pace and trickery, but instead a mere shadow of the player that grabbed the world’s attention. Dembele clearly has the skill and the potential within him to be great, the question he has to answer, is does he want to do it for Barcelona?

#2 Clement Lenglet and Gerard Pique’s partnership is slowly improving

FC Internazionale v FC Barcelona - UEFA Champions League Group B

Clement Lenglet was an absolute star at Sevilla, and that too within a year of arriving in Spain he became one of the world’s most sought-after defenders. However, like many others before him and probably many after him, with Barcelona paying out his release clause it was time for Lenglet to leave for the Camp Nou. But the question for him to answer was, will he walk the talk or will he be yet another victim in the long line of players who struggle to play for the Catalan giants?

So far, Lenglet has done okay at best, impressing in a few moments here and there but nothing too special that would announce the arrival of Gerard Pique’s replacement. But with both Thomas Vermaelen and Samuel Umtiti’s long-term injuries, it has given a chance for both manager Ernesto Valverde and even the fans to see if the former Sevilla man has what it takes.

And so far, Lenglet has been consistent, but not exceptional but if things keep moving forward like they always do, that is only a matter of time. The 23-year-old has certainly won plaudits but he needs to continue to improve if he sees himself as a part of Barcelona’s back-line for years to come. For now, both he and Gerard Pique seem to have found a rhythm to settle into, something that has made both of them relatively comfortable with each other.

#1 Philippe Coutinho showed us a glimpse of why he’s worth €150 million

Buying players always have their risks but Barcelona not simply buy Philippe Coutinho. No, after losing Neymar they relentlessly chased after the Brazilian even going so far as to anger even Jurgen Klopp and a few other football fans. However, in the end, like almost always, the La Liga champions got what they wanted and an incredible 150 million was what it took to steal the former Liverpool playmaker away from Anfield.

But, with rumours and reports floating around has revealed that the Barcelona higher-ups aren’t happy with their investment as he hasn’t hit the targets that the club's board has set for him. While Coutinho has impressed, scoring crucial goals including opening his account in the El Clasico, the Brazilian has been very inconsistent on the left-wing for Barcelona. This is despite, scoring five goals and producing three more over the Champions League and the La Liga.

However, against his former club at a stadium where he once struggled to make an impact, Coutinho was marvellous. Barcelona needed someone to step up in Lionel Messi’s absence and while Luis Suarez did it the last time against Inter, this time the 26-year-old was their main man. The Brazilian was simply everywhere and involved in everything good for Barcelona, becoming the creative outlet they so desperately need in Lionel Messi’s absence.

If he can keep this run of form going, maybe just maybe, he’ll prove his critics wrong or even more so.

Edited by Sripad