UEFA.com works better on other browsers
For the best possible experience, we recommend using Chrome, Firefox or Microsoft Edge.

Guardiola geared up for Inter challenge

Josep Guardiola has said FC Barcelona will not compromise their style as the holders host FC Internazionale Milano with their Group F lives on the line. "Even if we fall, we will fall attacking," he said.

Guardiola geared up for Inter challenge
Guardiola geared up for Inter challenge ©UEFA.com

Josep Guardiola said FC Barcelona would not compromise their style as the holders host FC Internazionale Milano with their UEFA Champions League Group F lives on the line. "Even if we fall, we will fall attacking," he said, adding he would not use injuries as an excuse if Barça are eliminated on Tuesday. "We win together and lose together," said Guardiola, whose team will exit the competition if they succumb at home to Inter and FC Rubin Kazan get the better of FC Dynamo Kyiv. The Nerazzurri top the tightest of the eight groups by a point after a thrilling late victory in Ukraine, and José Mourinho believes they have "grown as a team" since a goalless San Siro draw against Barça on Matchday 1.

Josep Guardiola, Barcelona coach
I won't know about Messi or Ibrahimović until the day of the game. I can't deny they are two very important players but then we win together and we lose together. The important thing is to win and get through to the next round. I want the crowd to come to the ground with a big smile on their faces, to enjoy the match and get behind us. We're facing a great team, the leaders of Serie A, with a world-class coach. Mourinho can make his team play in several ways; he uses different tactics so we have to be prepared. I always thought the group would only be decided in the last two games. We need about four points and I think we can do it. The Catalans welcome everyone and I'm sure Eto'o will be welcomed because he deserves it. We are out to win the match and to attack. Even if we fall, we will fall attacking.

José Mourinho, Inter coach 
I faced Barcelona six times with Chelsea and now I'm here with Inter. It's a pleasure to play in such a tough game. I enjoy tough games more than easy ones when you win by four or five goals. All my players want to play in this game – it's a game that appeals to everyone. I don't know if we will play to win or to draw: there are risks with both and we will see how the match develops. The world of football hopes Barcelona will get through, but Barcelona are aware of the difficulty of the match – they know Inter are a major rival. If Rubin win then Barcelona will be in trouble, but they're not scared and neither are we. I think we have grown as a team [since Matchday 1] but the only thing we want to know is whether Sneijder will be fit to play or not.

Weekend results
21/11/09 Athletic Club Bilbao 1-1 Barcelona
(Toquero 63; Alves 54)

• Unbeaten Barcelona were held for the third time in five Liga games to allow Real Madrid CF to move one point ahead at the top.

• Xavi Hernández played his 329nd league game for Barcelona, putting him outright second in the club's all-time list, while substitute Bojan Krkić begame the first teenager to make 100 competitive appearances for the Blaugrana.

21/11/09 Bologna FC1-3 Inter
(Zalayeta 23; Milito 22, Balotelli 41, Cambiasso 72)

• Maicon was shown a straight red card in added time, but it did not stop Inter extending their unbeaten run in all competitions to ten matches.

• They remain five points clear of Juventus.

Team news
Barcelona
Out: Yaya Touré (illness)
Doubtful: Lionel Messi (groin), Gabriel Milito (knee), Eric Abidal (left thigh, illness), Rafael Márquez (illness), Zlatan Ibrahimović (hamstring)
Suspended: none
Misses next match if booked: none

• Guradiola said on Monday: "The only player that definitely won't be in the team is Yaya Touré who has swine flu. We'll have to see about the others tomorrow."

Inter
Out: Davide Santon (knee)
Doubtful: Wesley Sneijder (thigh)
Suspended: none
Misses next match if booked: Cristian Chivu, Walter Samuel, Maicon

• Mourinho was set to make a decision on Sneijder after watching the Dutch midfield player in training at the Camp Nou.

Background
• During his three-year spell at Inter, Ibrahimović hit 57 goals in 88 Serie A appearances and six in 22 UEFA Champions League games.

• Samuel Eto'o spent five seasons with Barcelona from 2004. The Cameroon striker hit 109 goals in 144 league appearances, including 30 last season. In the UEFA Champions League he registered 18 in 43 games, scoring Barcelona's first goals in the final triumphs of 2006 and 2009.

Did you know?
Barcelona have never lost two successive home games in Europe.

For more information on the match in the official press kit, click here.