Inter and Tottenham were both dependent on each other’s results, as both were hoping to win, and wishing that the result of the other match ended in their favour.
Lets look at the 3 major talking points from Matchday 6 of the UEFA Champions League Group B matches.
#1 Late Lucas Moura equaliser ensured progress for Tottenham
Over the last few weeks, Ousmane Dembele has been embroiled in a controversy related to his discipline, but the Frenchman was clinical in his strike to hand La Blaugrana the lead very early in the 7th minute.
With Inter drawing level with PSV at the San Siro, Pochettino’s men looked certain to finish third and continue their European campaign in the Europa League. But an 85th-minute strike from Lucas Moura brought Tottenham back in the match, and was enough to seek qualification.
There is no doubt that Spurs were the better team on the night against a weakened Barcelona side, and the second half substitutions of Lamela and Moura played a key role to get Tottenham through to the knockout round.
#2 Inter drop into Europa League despite Icardi’s equaliser
Inter returned to the Champions League after a 6 year wait, and were off to a great start with 6 points from their first 2 matches. But Spaletti’s men could only manage 2 points in their last 4 matches to finish in 3rd place behind Tottenham
It seemed as though Mauro Icardi’s 73rd-minute header, which canceled out Hirving Lozano’s opener, would be enough for Inter’s qualification to the last 16. With Icardi’s goal and Tottenham behind at the Camp Nou, things were looking good until Tottenham equalised and ended Inter’s hopes.
Head coach Spalletti lamented the performance of his team at San Siro, telling Sky Sports Italia:
#3 Barcelona equal Bayern Munich’s Champions League record as Valverde warns Dembele
Barcelona having already qualified for the Champions League round of 16, fielded a much weakened side in the last group stage match against Tottenham. Pochettino’s men arrived at the Camp Nou hoping to be the ones to break the unbeaten run of 29 matches, but could only manage a late draw against the hosts.
With this draw, Barcelona have matched Bayern Munich’s record run of unbeaten home matches in the Champions League, and they would hope to continue their run of form in the knockout stages. The Catalan side would hope to remain invincible at the Camp Nou, as they await their next opponents in the round of 16.
Following the 4-0 win over Espanyol, Ousmane Dembele turned up two hours late to a training session on Sunday, and was fined £90,000 (US$112,000). Dembele answered his critics with an early goal in the 7th minute, but manager Ernesto Valverde has warned Dembele to keep his priorities intact.
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