European Champions League

Barcelona 2 – Inter Milan 0

Barcelona: Ter Stegen; Sergi Roberto, Piqué, Lenglet, Jordi Alba; Arthur (Arturo Vidal 76’), Busquets, Rakitic; Rafinha (Semedo 71’), Luis Suárez, Coutinho (Munir 87’). 4-3-3.
Inter: Handanovic; D'Ambrossio, Skriniar, Miranda, Asamoah; Vecino, Brozovic; Candreva (Politano 46’), Borja Valero (Lautaro Martínez 63’), Perisic (Keita 75’); Icardi. 4-2-3-1.

Goals:
1-0. 31. Rafinha. Got on the end of Luis Suárez cross to turn shot past keeper.
2-0. 82. Jordi Alba. Picked up Rakitic pass and struck shot across Handanovic

Yellow cards: Luis Suárez 61’, Brozovic 72’, Skriniar 73’, Lautaro Martínez 84’.

Barcelona came through their first test without the injured Messi with flying colours, a 2-0 victory over Inter Milan on Wednesday keeping them at the top of their group. Valverde opted to play Rafinha in Messi’s position, and the move paid off when he got on the end of a Luis Suárez cross to open the scoring on the half hour mark. Handanovic had to save from Lenglet and Suárez after the break, and Countinho fired a shot against the post, but the result was still in doubt until Jordi Alba latched on to a Rakitic through ball to score the second with eight minutes to go.