Barcelona 2-0 Inter Milan: Catalans ably conquer despite Messi's absence

Relive all the action of Inter's visit to the Camp Nou

Ivan Perisic is marshalled by Sergi Roberto (Getty Images)

Rafinha filled in for the injured Lionel Messi by scoring the opening goal to lead Barcelona to a 2-0 victory over Inter Milan in the Champions League on Wednesday.

Chosen by coach Ernesto Valverde to take Messi's place in the starting lineup, an inspired Rafinha recovered the ball to start an attack that he finished off by scoring from a pass by Luis Suarez in the 32nd minute.

Jordi Alba made sure of the win with a second goal with seven minutes remaining.

Messi cheered the goals from the stands at Camp Nou, his right arm in a sling after fracturing it in a win over Sevilla at the weekend.

Barcelona controls Group B with nine points after its third win in as many matches. Inter was left with six points following its first loss.

In the group's other match, Tottenham conceded late to draw 2-2 at PSV Eindhoven, leaving both with only one point.

PA

[24 October 2018 16:34 · Jack Watson]

Welcome!

Good evening and welcome to The Independent's live coverage of this evening's Champions League coverage. We'll be bringing you live updates from Barcelona vs Inter Milan and PSG vs Napoli.

Barcelona will be without Lionel Messi, who is injured and will miss three weeks of action, including El Clasico, and that is bad news for Tottenham. Mauricio Pochettino's side are relying on Barcelona get maximum points against Inter Milan to keep them in the race for second place after losing against them at the San Siro. 

[24 October 2018 17:09 · Jack Watson]

Ancelotti better prepared for PSG return

Napoli coach Carlo Ancelotti is in a much better frame of mind than on his last trip to Paris St Germain when a 3-0 defeat led to him being sacked as Bayern Munich coach just over a year ago.

The 59-year-old was fired the day after that defeat, having had only one full season in charge, and told reporters on Tuesday that he felt before that game that only half the team had faith in him.

"Many things have changed since then, PSG have changed coach for example, whereas at Munich the problems have still not been resolved," he said.

"My mood has changed a lot. Last year when I came here, I felt I had the trust of only four or five players, now I feel I have the confidence of all the players and everyone around the team. That has changed my frame of mind completely."

Ancelotti was appointed my Napoli in May, returning to Italian football after a nine-year absence. During that time, he spent two seasons at PSG, winning one Ligue 1 title.

"I have good memories of my time here, I improved my knowledge," he said.

Napoli lead Group C with four points from two games, one ahead of Liverpool and PSG before Wednesday's games.

Reuters

[24 October 2018 18:53 · Jack Watson]

Team news!

PSG vs Napoli

Napoli XI vs. PSG: Ospina; Maksimovic, Albiol, Koulibaly, Mario Rui; Allan, Fabián Ruiz, Hamsík, Callejón; Mertens, Insigne.

PSG XI vs. Napoli: Aréola; Meunier, Kimpembe, Marquinhos, Bernat; Verratti, Rabiot; Mbappé, Neymar, Di María; Cavani.

[24 October 2018 18:57 · Jack Watson]

Team news 

Inter Milan vs Barcelona

Inter XI vs. Barcelona: Handanovic; D’Ambrosio, Skriniar, Miranda, Asamoah; Brozovic, Vecino, B. Valero; Candreva, Icardi, Perisic.

Barcelona XI vs. Inter: Ter Stegen; S. Roberto, Pique, Lenglet, Alba; Busquets, Arthur, Rakitic; Rafinha, Suarez, Coutinho.

[24 October 2018 19:49 · Jack Watson]

Full time

PSV 2-2 Tottenham

It's all finished in the Netherlands and Tottenham's Champions League future is looking very bleak indeed.

[24 October 2018 20:01 · Jack Watson]

We're off!

We're underway in Paris and Barcelona, two top European destinations.

Stay tuned for the latest live updates from PSG vs Napoli and Barcelona vs Inter Milan

[24 October 2018 20:03 · Jack Watson]

2: So close for PSG!

Mbappe does so well against Koulibaly and he squares the ball to Cavani and Neymar in the middle. Cavani is better placed and is about to score, but Neymar gets in his way and the pair fire combine to fire the ball wide. 

[24 October 2018 20:07 · Jack Watson]

6: Marquinhos is in the book for a very tasty challenge on Mertens, he certainly left his mark as he dragged his studs along the back of the Napoli forwards legs. It'll be a long 80 minutes or so for the defender.

[24 October 2018 20:10 · Jack Watson]

10: Barcelona have started well in the absence of their man main against Inter Milan. Coutinho, who joined the Italian club in 2008, has been the go-to man for the home side in Messi's absence. 

Inter clearly feel they can get at Barcelona with crosses from wide areas and earn themselves a corner, but this comes to nothing. 

 

[24 October 2018 20:15 · Jack Watson]

PSG 0-0 Napoli

13: Neymar's corner is headed on at the near post and finds Mbappe with space to bring the ball under control. He takes a touch and fires a low shot into the side netting. He had so much time to do better, a real let-off for the Italian side.