Inter Milan v Barcelona: Barca's XI from 2019 clash looks unrecognisable now | OneFootball

Barcelona travel to the San Siro on Tuesday for the first of two crucial back-to-back Champions League group stage clashes with Inter Milan.

Having been drawn in Group C alongside Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich, both Barca and Inter are aware that the results of their head-to-head games are likely to determine who advances in the competition and who drops into the Europa League or – even worse – out of Europe altogether.

For that reason, Barcelona boss Xavi is expected to name a star-studded line-up for the trip.

The likes of Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha, Ousmane Dembele, Pedri and Franck Kessie are among those set to feature from the start for La Blaugrana as they make their visit to Inter since December 2019.

It’s no secret that the Barcelona squad has undergone quite the overhaul over the past few years, but that point is hammered home when you look at the club’s starting XI from that encounter less than three years ago.

With the La Liga side already safely through to the last-16 of that season’s competition as winners of their group, then-boss Ernesto Valverde chose to field a team made up largely of fringe players and potential stars of the future.

Messi, Ronaldo, Neymar: Where did these 40 players make their pro debut?

1 of 40

Lionel Messi made his professional football debut for which club?

Real Madrid Atletico Madrid Paris Saint-Germain Barcelona

Fast forward three years, though, and none of that starting line-up ended up making their mark at Barcelona.

In fact, none of the XI that originally took the field that evening are part of the Barca squad today.

We’ve taken a look at the team in full below.

Barcelona’s starting line-up v Inter Milan – December 10, 2019

GK: Neto (joined Bournemouth on a free transfer – August 2022)

CB: Jean-Clair Todibo (joined Nice for £7.65m – February 2021)

CB: Samuel Umtiti (joined Lecce on loan – August 2022)

CB: Clement Lenglet (joined Tottenham on loan – July 2022)

RWB: Moussa Wague (joined HNK Gorica on a free transfer – July 2022)

LWB: Junior Firpo (joined Leeds for £13.5m – July 2021)

CDM: Ivan Rakitic (joined Sevilla for £3.15m – September 2020)

CM: Arturo Vidal (joined Inter Milan for £900,000 – September 2020)

While three of the starting XI at still technically Barcelona players, there’s hardly much of a clamour for them to return to Camp Nou, particularly in the cases of Griezmann and Umtiti!

For an entire starting line-up (who originally cost a combined £241m, per Transfermarkt) to have been turfed out of the club in barely 30 months sums up the incredible turnover within the Barca squad in recent times, much of it motivated by financial necessity.

Their time at the club might now be over, but the above team equipped themselves well, ultimately ensuring Inter were dumped out of the 2019/20 Champions League.

What happened the last time Barcelona played Inter Milan?

Barca took the lead midway through the first-half, thanks to a close-range effort from 21-year-old Perez on his Champions League debut.

The teams were level before the break. Inter striker Romelu Lukaku restored parity for the home side with a fine equaliser from 25 yards out.

Ansu Fati made Champions League history the last time Barcelona played Inter Milan

Barca emerged with all three points on the night after 85th-minute substitute Fati won them the game just a minute after coming off the bench.

At a mere 17 years and 40 days old, the Spanish playmaker became the youngest goalscorer in the history of the competition following his goal.

Barcelona might have parted company with a significant amount of young talent in recent years, but Fati certainly won’t be leaving any time soon.

When he signed a new deal until 2027 last season, Barca inserted a €1 billion release clause in the deal, meaning he’ll be terrorising defences both at home and in Europe for a long time to come.

Check out Fati’s winner, together with the rest of the highlights from the match below.

In the 10 Champions League meetings between the two clubs, Inter have only managed to win once.

Simone Inzaghi’s men will need to get the better of a far superior Barcelona line-up than the one they faced last time out if they are to begin to reverse that trend.

Man Utd embarrassed by Man City! Via the Football Terrace