Capello warns Barcelona: If Inter stopped Messi, they can do the same to Yamal

Fabio Capello has warned that if the 2010 treble-winning Inter Milan were able to stop Lionel Messi and Barcelona on their way to the Champions League trophy, then there is no reason why Simone Inzaghi and his team cannot do the same to Lamine Yamal and company. 

Inter secured a ticket to the Champions League semi-finals, where they will face Barcelona over two legs, after a 4-3 aggregate victory over Bayern Munich. 

Goals from Lautaro Martinez and Davide Frattesi helped the Nerazzurri secure a 2-1 victory in Germany, before the return leg ended in a 2-2 draw with goals from Lautaro and Benjamin Pavard. 

Capello acknowledges the fact that Barcelona have perhaps the best attacking line in the world at the moment with Yamal, Raphinha and Lewandowski. 

However, to stop them, Capello believes Inter must win the battle in midfield. 

"If the Inter of the treble stopped Messi, they can do it today against Yamal as well. Of course, Inzaghi will not allow Yamal, nor Raphinha, to have too much space in front of him." 

"Barcelona's stars have a lot of quality to stop them from open play and Lewandowski is a killer inside the area." 

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"But Inter are very capable of closing things down and maintaining balance. The mission will be in midfield. The class of Pedri and De Jong against the quality and dynamism of Barella, Calhanoglu and Mkhitaryan."  

"The two Blaugrana midfielders are very good at transforming the action from defense to attack. But, if I had to choose, I would keep the Inter midfielders," said Capello.Telegraph/