The first game for Barcelona with Lionel Messi on the sidelines ended with a rather impressive victory against a competitive Inter Milan in the Champions League. Barcelona were clearly superior for the majority of the game and they crowned their play with goals from Rafinha and Jordi Alba while not allowing a single one – a first since 18 September.
The majority of the Barcelona lineup was pretty much set in stone coming into the game, with Sergi Roberto returning to right back and Ernesto Valverde going with the same midfield he went against Sevilla.