Antonio Conte is without Romelu Lukaku, but defends Alexis Sanchez and warns Inter will face Barcelona “with courage and hunger, not helmet and shield to defend the goal.”

It kicks off on Wednesday at Camp Nou at 20.00 UK time (19.00 GMT).

“Our group is certainly an interesting and difficult one, as we realised full well with the draw against Slavia Prague,” said Conte in his Press conference.

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Romelu Lukaku has not even made the trip to Barcelona for the Champions League game, as the Inter striker has a muscular problem.

The news was confirmed by Coach Antonio Conte in his Press conference, with the match on Wednesday at 20.00 UK time (19.00 GMT).

“Lukaku isn’t here, he had a slight muscular issue in the quadricep that he has been carrying for 10 days,” explained Conte.

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Barcelona Coach Ernesto Valverde acknowledges Inter “have changed a great deal and taken on the solidity” of Antonio Conte, while giving injury updates on Lionel Messi.

It kicks off on Wednesday at 20.00 UK time (19.00 GMT).

“Inter have changed a great deal from last season, with new Coach and many different players,” said Valverde in his Press conference.

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Alexis Sanchez says Inter have made him “fall in love with football again” and that he is in the Champions League “to win it”.

Sanchez ended a miserable 18-month spell with Manchester United over the summer as he joined Inter on loan with option to buy, and the forward scored his first goal back in Italy at the weekend.

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Marcelo Brozovic contested the Alexis Sanchez red card against Sampdoria, but noted Inter now follow Antonio Conte’s plan. “We all know what to do and it shows.”

The Nerazzurri earned a 3-1 victory away to Samp with goals from Stefano Sensi, Alexis Sanchez and Roberto Gagliardini, the third on Brozovic’s assist after Sanchez had been sent off.

The Chilean received a second yellow card for simulation in the penalty area.

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Napoli are trying to stave off Barcelona interest in Fabian Ruiz by offering him a substantially improved contract.

Mundo Deportivo among others stated that the Spain international midfielder was Barcelona’s top transfer target for the summer of 2020.

His value on the market has shot up since he was purchased from Real Betis for €30m just over a year ago.

According to the Corriere dello Sport, Fabian’s agents are already in intensive negotiations with Napoli over a new and improved deal going beyond the current expiry of 2023.

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FIFA has threatened to “investigate and apply sanctions” if it finds any wrongdoing in the voting for The Best Men’s Player of 2019.

Tuttosport lashed out at FIFA for ‘robbing’ Cristiano Ronaldo after it had been alleged votes were incorrectly given to Lionel Messi, who took home the award.

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Barcelona have set their sights firmly on Napoli midfielder Fabian Ruiz for next summer, claim Mundo Deportivo.

The 23-year-old Spain international was purchased from Real Betis in July 2018 for his full €30m release clause.

His value on the transfer market has since doubled following impressive showings in Serie A and the European Under-21 Championships.

Fabian has already picked up three senior caps for Spain and is under contract with the Partenopei until June 2023.

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FIFA has denied claims that votes for The Best FIFA Men’s Award were incorrectly given to Barcelona star Lionel Messi.

Nicaragua captain Juan Barrera said he had not voted, despite FIFA publishing he had backed Messi to take the crown on his ballot paper.

That led Tuttosport to report Juventus forward Cristiano Ronaldo - winner in each of the two previous years - had been ‘robbed’.

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