(Football news) Barcelona drew 3-3 against Inter Milan at the Camp Nou in what was one of the best UCL group stage games of all. Xavi named his best available line-up with a severely understaffed defence. He didn't have any options at centre back and right back and had to go with Sergi Roberto, Gerard Pique and Eric. At left back is where he made a controversial call of picking Marcos Alonso over the in-form Alex Balde and the experienced Jordi Alba. Xavi also benched Frenkie De Jong once again in favour of Pedri, Sergio Busquets and Gavi. 

Barcelona played really well in the 2nd half as they controlled the ball. Inter were a constant threat on the counter attack but their defence was tested. After creating so many chances the Blaugrana finally broke the deadlock in the 40th minute as Sergi Roberto set up Ousmane Dembele. Things switched in the 2nd half as Inter scored twice in 13 minutes via Nicola Barella and Lautaro Martinez to take the lead at the New Camp. Barcelona, desperate for the win, brought on Balde and De Jong who had an instant impact. Their impact was an indication that Xavi perhaps should've started the game with them. Lewandowski did manage to get an equaliser via a lucky deflection in the 82nd minute. Barcelona were scrambling for a winner but it was Inter who scored with 1 minute of regular time to go thanks to Robin Gosens. 

Barcelona didn't give up as Lewandowski scored once again to level things up. Just before full time Inter had another chance to win it as substitute Kristjan Asllani was one on one with Marc Andre Ter Stegen and had a chance to square it to a teammate but instead hit it straight at the shot stopper. The match ended in a draw after a rollercoaster ride. Barcelona's centre back pairing of Pique and Garcia had a torrid time at the back. The absence of Ronald Araujo, Jules Kounde and Andreas Christensen was clearly felt.

The match was a thrilling one in which Barcelona fought back brilliantly but the bad news is that it is likely to not mean anything. Barcelona needed a win to stay in the race for the knockouts. Now the situation is that if Inter beat Viktoria Plzen in the next matchday then they qualify for the Round of 16. Barcelona need to win both their matches and hope that Inter slip up in their matches to qualify which is unlikely. Xavi is staring down a 2nd consecutive Europa League drop which is a new low for a club of Barcelona's stature.

Also read: Maccabi Haifa stun Juventus to open UCL group stage account