Serie A forward tips Barcelona as favourites for the UCL clash against Inter Milan

Once the international break is over, Barcelona will have a crucial run of fixtures that could define the direction their campaign will take.

They will face the likes of Real Madrid, Celta Vigo, Athletic Club and Villarreal in La Liga while the UEFA Champions League will bring them face-to-face with Inter Milan in back-to-back fixtures within the first two weeks of October.

Considering that Barça lost to Bayern Munich in their previous European encounter, it becomes imperative that they come out on top in their two matches against Inter if they wish to avoid a group stage exit like last season.

And former Barcelona forward Gerard Deulofeu, who plays for Serie A side Udinese now, has backed the Catalans as the favourites for the tie against the Nerazzurri.

Just before the international break, Deulofeu’s Udinese came back from a goal down to defeat Inter Milan 3-1 in Serie A, with the Spaniard assisting two goals. And the former La Masia ace believes that Barça, too, could emerge on top against Simone Inzaghi’s side next month.

Speaking in an interview with Mundo Deportivo, Deulofeu said: “Barça are the favourites against Inter. They are a better team than them and if they manage to circulate the ball well and score first, they’re going to win.”

The international break has been a rough one for Barcelona as they have lost multiple players due to injury. Ronald Araujo will undergo surgery later this week and will be out for at least two months, while Jules Kounde is also sidelined for over a month, along with Memphis Depay.

Frenkie de Jong has also returned from the national team camp with an injury, although his condition is not as bad as the rest of the players.

At the same time though, the Blaugrana have been handed a boost as Inter will be without their midfield general Marcelo Brozovic for both home and away matches.