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Messi ‘icing on the cake’ for dangerous Barca – Spalletti
MILAN, Nov 5, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Lionel Messi is the icing on Barcelona’s
cake, Inter Milan coach Luciano Spalletti said on Monday on the eve of the
Champions League Group B game between the two teams.
Messi could make an earlier return than expected against Inter Milan in
the San Siro on Tuesday after breaking his arm on October 20, but the
Catalans have shown some of their strongest form in his absence.
“Messi is the icing on the cake. His is the shirt that children who dream
of being footballers ask for,” said Spalletti, “but Barcelona have shown that
even without him, they still have the mentality to develop their game, which
is what makes the difference.
“It’s a worry for anyone if Messi plays, but the attitude doesn’t change.
“We’re facing one of the strongest clubs in the world in any case. We need
to be better in our reading of the game, but we’re going to mark space, not
men.”
Barcelona are top of Group B with maximum points from three games ahead of
Inter Milan who lost 2-0 in Spain.
A draw against Inter would guarantee the Spaniards qualification to the
last 16 while victory would secure top spot, with two games still to spare.
Inter need a win to all but book their passage to the last 16 in a group
which also includes Tottenham and PSV Eindhoven.
“It’s the right time to show what we’re worth,” said Spalletti, whose side
are coming off a seven-match winning streak in Serie A in which they are in
second place, three points behind champions Juventus.
“We’ve always said we can play against anyone, and that still holds true.
“The latest results reinforce that and this will be a good opportunity to
see if we really can play on a par with Barcelona, who represent the highest
level of difficulty in football.
“In the first game we weren’t able to keep the ball after winning it back,
which meant we couldn’t reverse the trend of the game.”
Belgium midfielder Radja Nainggolan could return after missing the first
leg with an ankle injury after coming on to score in a 5-0 win over Genoa at
the weekend.
“He has to be evaluated. We’ll know more after training,” added the Inter
coach.
BSS/AFP/BZC/1920HRS