Inter's Turn to Take On Barcelona

Of course, Internazionale has had their chance before in this year's Champions League, being drawn into the same group with the defending champions, taking one point over two matches against Barcelona.  Inter was able to hold the holders in Italy before losing at the Nou Camp.

While its seems logical that a conservatively played leg in Italy will lead to a similar sequence of events, things have changes for Inter since their group stage struggles.  Against Chelsea in the Round of 16, José Mourinho's side not only showed the metal to win this competition, but the coach admitted that Inter had gotten over a hurdle - finally defeating an elite team in Champions League.

Today against Barcelona, expect José Mourinho to set-up his team in the same way Guus Hiddink set-up Chelsea in last year's semifinal and Manchester United played two years ago.  I think there are other options - articulated here - but playing conservative, waiting for a Barcelona mistake, not only serves José Mourinho's nature, it is also an approach that has worked against lesser competition in the Round of 16 and quarterfinals.

As a coach, José Mourinho is obligated to do what's best for Inter, and playing a Chelsea, Manchester United-esque, conservative approach may have the Nerazzurri their best chance of reaching Madrid.  As fans, though, it will be disappointing to see that approach, even more disappointing if it leads to a win (which it very well could).

If Inter plays defensively for 180 minutes, withstands the Barcelona onslaught, but suffers a Rubin Kazan-at-Nou Camp-type defeat, we can congratulate Inter on a great accomplishment and shake a head a bit at the nature of this game we love.

Here's hoping Inter plays for more than coin flips and magic, tries to take what's their rather than wait for Barcelona to slip.  Internazionale certainly have the talent.

I will be going a real-time minute-by-minute of the Inter-Barcelona match at Set Piece Analysts.