Barca switch off late, but qualify
BETTER: SPANIARDS WERE ALWAYS ON THE FRONT FOOT
Milan
Barcelona qualified for the knockout stage of the Champions League, despite Mauro Icardi snatching a late 1-1 draw for Inter Milan at the San Siro on Tuesday.
Ice-cold Icardi struck with his first shot of the match in the 87th minute to grab a draw, just four minutes after a neat curling strike from substitute Malcom gave the away side a deserved lead.
“We played the best team in the world, but we never gave up, we kept fighting,” Icardi told Sky Sport Italia. “Fortunately the ball bounced to me... there was a bit of luck that the ball arrived there.”
The Argentine pounced in a goalmouth scramble, spinning and firing home from close range – rewarding a brilliant performance from keeper Samir Handanovic that kept Inter in a game where they struggled to get a foothold.
“We could not clear a silly ball inside the area and we paid for it,” said Barca midfielder Sergio Busquets. “I think we deserved more. We were more ambitious and dominated the whole game.”
Barca, without injured Lionel Messi, were left to lament throwing away three points in a game in which they created more than enough chances to win but couldn’t get past the superb Slovenia international in the Inter goal.
“I think Barcelona played far better than us and we could’ve done more. They came forward too easily in the first half and when you leave them possession constantly, you are going to be pinned back,” said Handanovic.
Barca were on the front foot from kick-off and Handanovic had to be at his best to stop fine efforts from Luis Suarez and Philippe Coutinho before the break.
His saves kept the hosts in the game right until the end and Icardi took the one chance he had to save a point.
“We just switched off a bit in the final moments,” said Barca coach Ernesto Valverde. “We know that Inter have picked up a lot of points in the last minutes.
“But we’re happy because our main goal of qualifying is achieved. The one that’s left is for us to get first place.” –