Barcelona 3-3 Inter Milan: The Catalans had to come from behind twice to get a draw at home against the Nerazzurri
Barcelona forward Raphinha described it as his team’s “duty” to win a home game in the Champions League, after an action-packed 3-3 draw against Inter at the Estadi Olimpico on Wednesday.
The Catalans showcased their attacking prowess on the night, with teenage sensation Lamine Yamal mesmerising both the Inter defence and the crowd, and Raphinha himself unleashing an absolute belter from outside the box that ricocheted off the post and then hit the goalkeeper’s back to go in. The Brazilian also teed up Ferran Torres for Barcelona’s second goal in the first half with a glancing header that the Spain international poked beyond Inter’s Yann Sommer.
However, Barcelona’s defensive vulnerabilities were also clear as crystal, with Inter going through on goal several times during the match and scoring too easily from set-pieces. The Nerazzurri also could have scored a potentially decisive fourth in the 75th minute, but Henrikh Mkhitaryan was brutally adjudged offside by no more than the tip of his boot.
“When you play at home like we did, the feeling is that we should have managed to earn a better result,” Raphinha told Movistar Plus.
“We can’t concede that many goals, especially at home. Sure, you have to give praise to our opponents who are strong and played well tonight but we are Barca and it’s our duty to win at home, that’s how it is.”
Looking towards the return leg at the historic San Siro next week, Barcelona clearly have to be better defensively.
“But the result is not that bad,” added Raphinha, “and it leaves it all open for the return leg in Milan.
“So we will try to correct the mistakes so we can go there and grab the win that will take us to the final.”
