In form Inter go toe-to-toe with Messi-less Barca

Barcelona welcome Inter in battle for top spot in group B

Since lifting the most coveted trophy in European football Italian giants Inter Milan fell on hard times which culminated with a six year absence before the Nerazzuri returned to the Champions League with an astounding come from behind victory against Tottenham.

They followed that Champions League win with another over PSV Eindhoven and head into their trip to the Nou Camp on good footing as they're currently on a match winning run in all competitions.

With their latest win over arch rivals AC Milan Inter have won seven games on the spin and couldn't have picked a better time to take on former European champions Barcelona.

Spearheaded by the goal scoring prowess of captain and sharpshooter Mauro Icardi, Inter will be optimistic of coming back with some sort of result at one of the most inhospitable venues to visit.

After winning their first five games of the season in all competitions, and scoring 16 goals in the process, Barcelona have hit a bit of a rocky patch.

The Catalans have only managed to win two out of their last six matches and were dealt a heavy blow as talisman Lionel Messi is set to spend some time on the side lines and the Argentine will miss Wednesday's clash against Inter as well as the big showdown against eternal rivals Real Madrid.

The good news though is that it gives someone else in a Barca shirt a chance to step up and carry the torch lit by the Barcelona star man.

Phillipe Coutinho's name would be one of the names to be called to take on that starring role for the Blaugrana. Barca also have Luis Suarez and record signing Ousmane Dembele to turn to in Messi's absence.