How will Barcelona line up against Inter Milan?

Barcelona are in Italy on Tuesday for their Champions League clash with Inter Milan at the San Siro.

There’s plenty of incentive for Barcelona to go for the win, as taking three points will seal top spot in Group B with two matches remaining.

Ernesto Valverde has decisions to make over his starting XI, Lionel Messi is back in the squad after injury, but it’s not certain he’ll play.

Let’s have a look at who might feature.

Defence

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Barcelona kept a rare clean sheet against Inter Milan at the Camp Nou, which is pretty good going considering they haven’t managed one in La Liga since August.

There will be few surprises in defence with Sergi Roberto, Gerard Pique, Clement Lenglet and Jordi Alba all lining up in front of Marc-Andre ter Stegen.

The only possible change could come at right-back. However, Nelson Semedo has only managed one Champions League start this season and can expect a place on the bench.

Midfield

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Will Valverde make changes to his midfield for this one? He went for the same XI against both Real Madrid and Rayo Vallecano which was something of a surprise.

Arthur has cemented his place as a starter since coming into the team, while it’s difficult to see Valverde replacing either Ivan Rakitic and Sergio Busquets for this game.

Attack

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Rafinha was the surprise inclusion against Inter Milan last time out, and it worked too as he scored the opener. The Brazilian hasn’t quite had the same impact since though.

Meanwhile, Ousmane Dembele has been making a difference as a substitute. He has a goal and two assists in his last three outings and is pushing for a place in the starting XI.

And then there’s Messi. If he makes his return against Inter, he’ll be coming back slightly ahead of schedule. There’s no reason to risk him, so it would make more sense to have him on the bench.

Possible starting XI: Ter Stegen; Roberto, Pique, Lenglet, Alba; Rakitic, Busquets, Arthur; Dembele, Suarez, Coutinho.

How do you think Barcelona should line up against Inter? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!