Europa League-bound Barcelona refocus on European Super League

The visit to the Nou Camp of a European club of comparable standing would usually be one of the great occasions at a stadium that has seen so much drama in the modern era, but tonight, no matter what Barcelona did against Bayern Munich, they were already out before their Champions League matchday five started.

This was the season for which Barcelona pulled all the levers to save their wrecked finances with the sale of €700 million worth of future revenue over the summer in an attempt to balance their books in the short-term and buy the players that the club thought would keep them afloat. Yet for the second year running Barcelona are out of the Champions League at the group stage.

To have a chance of advancing they needed Inter Milan to lose against Viktoria Plzen in the early kick-off. The Italian club’s 4-0 win means Barcelona were unable to climb above either Bayern or Inter in Group C, and instead are left wondering how much further they might slip from the top table of European football. The club has accumulated around €1.3 billion of debt and embarked on this summer’s spending spree, buying Robert Lewandowski, Jules Kounde and Raphinha among others – as well as big contract renewals - as a bold rejection of austerity.

As the club’s president Joan Laporta made clear in his address to members this month, his gamble is all based on the hope that the European Super League (ESL) – or a version of it – can yet become a reality. Barcelona believe that the revenue that would be made available to them and their ESL co-rebels, Real Madrid and Juventus, would be enough to save them in the transfer fee and wages arms race that has all but destroyed their financial pre-eminence. Juventus’ Champions League defeat to Benfica on Tuesday was the first time they have lost four straight group games in the competition and they too are out. They may not even make the third place required to enter Europa League knockout round.

Barcelona’s financial Barcelona’s decision-making is such that their default position is a €200 million loss on a year’s operating. They have already sold 25 per cent of future television revenue from Liga for the next 25 years to the US investment company Sixth Street. In addition, 49.5 per cent of the Barca Studios enterprise has been sold in two tranches to two separate buyers. These are the financial levers – the “palancas” that the club told members it had no option but to pull to try to save its future. In reality  the future has been sold as a bridge to try to get the club to the promised land of the ESL.

Who controls Barcelona now? Is it the hundreds of thousands of ordinary members – the socios - who are its traditional base? Or is it the US investment bank Goldman Sachs, though which most of the debt is understood to be financed?

Even the departure of Lionel Messi as a free agent last year has not succeeded in bringing down the wage bill in the long term. It is now back up to €656 million, across all sports, a current value of £576 million. The club is still projecting that it will undertake the rebuilding of the Nou Camp stadium although the start date remains fluid. Whenever it does begin the club will be obliged to play home matches at the city’s Olympic Stadium at Montjuic, which will further damage its commercial and matchday income power.

In the domestic league this season Barcelona – and Real Madrid – are dominant. Real are unbeaten and Barcelona, in second place, have only lost once. Whether this is good for Spanish football has never been a major concern for the big two but it might be in the future. The interest in domestic league relies upon some competitiveness to prompt bidding auctions for television rights. That competitiveness is dwindling in a league where even Atletico Madrid are less of a force. They are struggling to qualify for the knockout round of the Champions League and Spain’s fourth representative, Sevilla, are already out.

It puts even greater pressure on the case against what the ESL members see as Uefa's monopoly in the European Court of Justice. The advocate-general’s advice, which will be given to judges on Dec 15 is a major turning point in that case.

For Barcelona, two of the three rebel clubs, a place in the Europa League knockout stages for a second straight year comes heavy with irony. For some time now the Champions League has not been good enough for Barcelona, and now the tables are turned.

It's a night to forget for Barcelona - they have been knocked out of the Champions League.

Meanwhile, Bayern Munich have secured their spot at the top of Group C.

GOAAALLL

An unmarked Pavard, with the last kick of the game, strokes home on the half-volley from close range after Barcelona can’t clear their lines from a last-gasp corner.

Barcelona’s misery is complete.

Four minutes of added time signalled.

Bayern - who are about to seal top spot in Group C with a match to spare - are determined to keep that clean sheet as they concede a corner and Fati’s hopeful drive is well blocked.

From Sam Wallace, chief football writer

Even the departure of Lionel Messi as a free agent last year has not succeeded in bringing down the wage bill in the long term. It is now back up to €656 million, across all sports, a current value of £576 million. The club is still projecting that it will undertake the rebuilding of the Nou Camp stadium although the start date remains fluid. Whenever it does begin the club will be obliged to play home matches at the city’s Olympic Stadium at Montjuic, which will further damage its commercial and matchday income power.

Back underway in Catalonia.

Can Xavi’s side give the fans that have stayed any reason to be cheerful tonight?

From Sam Wallace, chief football writer

This was the season for which Barcelona pulled all the levers to save their wrecked finances with the sale of €700 million worth of future revenue over the summer in an attempt to balance their books in the short-term and buy the players that the club thought would keep them afloat. Yet for the second year running Barcelona are out of the Champions League at the group stage.

The Italian club’s 4-0 win means Barcelona were unable to climb above either Bayern or Inter in Group C, and instead are left wondering how much further they might slip from the top table of European football. The club has accumulated around €1.3 billion of debt and embarked on this summer’s spending spree, buying Robert Lewandowski, Jules Kounde and Raphinha among others – as well as big contract renewals - as a bold rejection of austerity.

As the club’s president Joan Laporta made clear in his address to members this month, his gamble is all based on the hope that the European Super League (ESL) – or a version of it – can yet become a reality. Barcelona believe that the revenue that would be made available to them and their ESL co-rebels, Real Madrid and Juventus, would be enough to save them in the transfer fee and wages arms race that has all but destroyed their financial pre-eminence. 

Juventus’ Champions League defeat to Benfica on Tuesday was the first time they have lost four straight group games in the competition and they too are out. They may not even make the third place required to enter Europa League knockout round

GOAALLL

And they counter to brilliant effect there!

Bayern turn defence into attack in the blink of an eye and a speedy breakaway is finished off by Choupo-Moting, who nutmegs Ter Stegen for his fourth goal in five matches.

It’s just onside again - Bayern’s attackers have timed those runs to perfection tonight.

Speaking on CBS Sports

If it was another coach right now at Barcelona, dealing with what's happening.. the volcano would've erupted. Look, they're second in the league. We all know that Lewandowski should've scored at Bayern.

Mateu Alemany speaking on Barcelona going back to the Europa League 

Via Barcelona TV

We did not deserve to lose in Munich, the refereeing in Milan was absolutely incomprehensible

GOAAAALLLL!

Sadio Mane

Bayern take the lead as the mood darkens further at Camp Nou.

It’s a special pass from Gnabry to release Mane, who beats Bellerin too easily for pace before cutely lifting the ball past an on-rushing Ter Stegen.

A nightmare of an evening so far for Barca.

Across the next 90 minutes or so, we'll bring you the latest reaction from Barcelona being knocked out the Champions League and  goal updates from the Camp Nou, as Xavi's men face Bayern Munich. 

Not a great mood inside the stadium as the players emerge from the tunnel. Deafening whistles for the Champions League anthem, which won't be played at this ground again this season. 

So much frustration among the fanbase, as you might expect. 

The Spanish giants are out! 

Barcelona, who Bayern Munich at 8pm BST drop into the Europa League. The German side need a win in that one to clinch top spot. 

Job done. Comfortable win for Inter - they make the Round of 16.

Dzeko with the brace and Lukaku back scoring goals - a perfect night.

Plzen are out they did not have enough quality to ever trouble the hosts.

Inter are knocking the ball around the pitch at their leisure.

Three minutes added on at the San Siro. It's game, set and match for Inter Milan. 

The hosts will be in the knockout stages and it's the perfect night with Lukaku scoring. 

Until Plzen score four in three minutes, Inter are through and Barca are through... to the Europa League.

GOAAALLLLL!

He is back with a bang. Typical Lukaku.

The ball is played into his feet and Lukaku rolls his man, combines with Correa who slides him in and the Belgian striker finishes clinically.

Inter break away and they have more numbers up then Viktoria Plzen have back- Dumfries shoots and it is saved by Stanek. 

Lukaku is on with Martinez being subbed off. 

He is back from injury- his first appearance since last August with the World Cup in Qatar on the horizon. 

Lukaku watching on- many thought he'd be given minute but not yet. 

Vlkanova has been the Czech's side only hope- he continues to look energetic and lively as we approach the final ten minutes of play. He scored versus Bayern late on maybe he can grab a consolation goal for Viktoria Plzen. 

Dimarco goes off and Gosens comes on. He has been one of the standout players tonight and gets a standing ovation from the home fans.

Unlucky as Skriniar plays a great ball between the lines to Martinez- he turns and tries to poke it through for the run for Correa but it's intercepted. 

They may lack quality but the Czech side work hard and don't let there heads drop but Viktoria Plzen are looking tired at the San Siro.

Both teams make substitutions, with Kalvach looking tired and he comes off for N'Diaye.

Dzeko and Calhanoglu come off for Correa and Asllani.

Fun fact courtesy of Opta

• Only Cristiano Ronaldo (12) has scored more goals in the UEFA Champions League after turning 35 years of age than Edin Džeko (5 - level with Didier Drogba).

GOAALLL

Mkhitaryan flicks it over the defence to Martinez, he turns and rolls it across to Dzeko who strokes it into the bottom corner.

Remarkably that is Dzeko's 11th European goal against the Czech side in his career

Bye bye Barcelona. 

Intern Milan are desperate for the third goal to kill of the contest , however in the last few minutes the visitors have shown that they can be dangerous after scoring twice against Bayern Munich last week. 

Dumfries works the give-and-go with Barella to surge down the right flank. He fires a dangerous cross towards the back past that Hejda steers behind ahead of the lurking presence of the veteran striker Dzeko.  

There is no chance Viktoria Plzen are getting back in this game- they don't have the quality to really test the hosts. Sadly it's more a question of how many to the Italian side want to score tonight. 

Martinez and Dumfries are causing them real problems. 

It was a great cross-field ball to Dimarco again. First time on the volley he puts it on a plate for Martinez and his effort is saved well by the feet of Stanek. 

Off the post

Mkhitaryan nearly scores his second of the game - it's two backheels and clever passes as Inter work a chance via Skriniar, Barella and Martinez.

The Armenian shoots from distance and it cannons off the post.

Dimarco is causing so many problems down that left-hand side. He tries a cut back that is cleared well by Hejda. 

Tijani is down hurt but there are big cheers from the home fans as Lukaku is warming up. 

Wonder if he will get minutes returning from injury tonight? 

The Czech side do have height in the box and are physically strong but three of their corners are dealt with. 

Pernica is booked for catching Dumfries high. 

Something had to change for the Czech side, as Bassey and Jirka go off with Chory and Holik on for the visitors. 

The game is back on at the San Siro. Is there anyway back from Vikotria Plzen? 

Barcelona will be hoping so! 

The hosts need to win tonight to send them through and they look to have wrapped this up in the first half at the San Siro. 

They have played well and look in complete control against the Czech side, that sadly offer next to nothing. 

It's likely Intern will get more if they will like hammering their weak opponents. 

I hate saying this, but Viktoria Plzen are desperate. The visitors know they are out and they don't have the quality to compete. Bassey has a tame shot from distance that sumps up the Czech side. 

Put simply, they don't have enough. 

GOAAALLL

Wow - what a goal and Dzeko scores from close range.

Barella plays an oustanding switch to Dimarco - he controls it and puts it on a plate for Dzeko to tap home.

He shoots, he scores - they made that look so easy.

Surely this is be the end of Barcelona's Champions League campaign?

Inter Milan have been far the superior team- the visitors have men behind the ball but they suddenly there as normal as Dimarco comes forward. 

His cross finds Martinez who puts it into the side setting. 

That was a great block as goal-scorer Mkhitaryan crosses and Martinez powers it on the volley - it may be heading in but Hejda blocks brilliantly.

GOAALLL

It's been coming - again Bastoni comes out the back and overlaps Dimarco, he crosses to the back post where Mkhitaryan is waiting and he heads in.

Inter get the goal they deserve - it's not good news for Barcelona.

The hosts have had 61% of possession of the ball so far and it feels like Czech side haven't touched it for ages expect to clear crosses away. 

Mkhitaryan combines with Martinez again, it's another one two and the ex-Man Utd man is in but it's saved by Stanek but he happens to be just offside.

Its been fluid and quick football from Inter Milan.

It's been great football so far from the hosts- Martinez combines with Dimarco and he shoots but Stanek saves. 

A cross is put in straight after and Mkhitaryan heads from close range but it's a good reaction stop by the keeper.

The only two chances of the game come in the same minute. 

It's a risky game Viktoria Plzen are playing. They clearly want to play out from goal kicks but it's a dangerous tactic as Inter Milan are pressing high and setting traps for them. 

Dimarco has way too much space out on the left-hand side with this quality of crosses he needs to be stopped quickly. 

The visitors are really sitting deep now and Inter Milan are reacting as Bastori comes out from the back with the ball to try to overload the left hand side with Dimarco. 

The Italian crosses Dumfries, but the flag goes up for offside. 

Barella picks it up deep an drives forward before sliding a ball aiming for Martinez in behind the the Argentine striker is tripped on the egde of the box by Tijani. 

Dimarco puts another sublime cross in- Dzeko will be hoping for more of those as the lef wing-back is finding plenty of space down that side. 

Dzeko, the veteran striker, has always been brilliant in holding up play and he has not lost his touch. He is retaining passes into him and then Inter Milan can get bodies forward off him. He doesn't have pace but Martinez doe and they look good combination up front. 

The visitors are having a decent spell here- they have stopped rushing their passes forward and are keeping it nicely in midfield. 

Havel whips a great ball in but it is cleared by Skriniar at the back post. 

This is more positive from Viktoria Plzen, as they are winning the ball back in decent area but there is lack of quality in the final third to break down the Inter Milan defence. 

Bucha and Kalvach are certainly putting themselves about in midfield. 

Although, the hosts have dominated possession early on, they have suddenly given the ball away three times in their own half within the last minute or so. The visitors end up rushing their chances to get forward and hand possession back to Inter Milan. 

Dumfries overlaps Barella and he makes a decent run but the pass is too heavy- he was in behind the visitors defence there . 

The beady eye viewers might notice Inter Milan boss Inzaghi is not in the dugout tonight because the Italian was sent off in their last Champions League versus Barcelona. 

Inter have dominating possession as expected with their technical central midfielders. Their wing-backs Dimarco and Dumfries provide the width- Dimarco just delivered a sublime ball into the box but no player in black and blue could ge there. 

First of the attempt of the game blocked, as Çalhanoglu right-footed shot from outside the box is blocked, it was nicely assisted by Henrikh Mkhitaryan.

The famous Champions League anthem has played and we are underway 

The ball is rolling at the San Siro Stadium! 

Inter Milan won 0-2 in Plzen when they met on matchday two - the Nerazzurri were comfortable throughout the game having over 70% possession but the hosts were down to ten men for the last 30 minutes of the game.

Edin Dzeko and Denzel Dumfires scored the goals that night.

Viktoria Plzen starting XI:Stanek; Hejda, Pernica, Tijani; Havel, Kalvach, Bucha, Mosquera; Jirka, Vlkanova, Bassey

Substitutes: Pilar, Tvrdon, Chory, Jedlicka, Jemelka, Cermak, Holik, N'diaye

Inter Milan starting XI: Onana; Bastoni, Skriniar, Acerbi; Dumfries, Barella, Mkhitaryan, Calhanoglu, Dimarco; Dzeko, Lautaro

Substitutes: Handanovic, Gagliardini, De Vrij, Gosens, Correa, Bellanova, Asllani, Cordaz, D’Ambrosio, Darmian, Lukaku.

On the verge of reaching the Champions League knockout stage for a second year in succession, Inter Milan welcome pointless Viktoria Plzen in San Siro tonight. 

After taking four points from Barcelona, across two epic encounters, Inter Milan can seal progress with a third win from five Group C games; Plzen are out of contention but could still snatch a Europa League spot via an importable turn of events. 

The win at home over Barcelona sparked a belief in the team that has become a budding confidence. Inter have not played consistently with this level of swagger or perseverance in arguably about a year. 

The latest installment being a dramatic last gasp 4-3 win in Florence over a Fiorentina side who were playing with desperation after a terrible start to the season.

For the first time in weeks, Romelu Lukaku will be in the squad. He will likely not start, but should see some playing time late on. 

Also included in the squad is Roberto Gagliardini, who is also returning from injury. Marcelo Brozovic is still recovering from the issue he picked up on international duty and will need more time.

The Italian side are the heavy favourites this evening and know that if they beat Plzen, they will knock out five time champions Barcelona. 

The Barcelona manger Xavi has revealed his team will watch the match before they face Bayern Munich at 8pm BST. 

Some may presume that Barcelona would want to avoid finding out about the result so they can focus on their own match but Xavi has confirmed this will not the case. 

Their Champions League fate has been taken out of their hands after a stuttering campaign that has seen them win just one of their four group games to date.

Anyway, kick off at the San Siro Stadium  is at 5.45pm BST and we'll be here for the team news, live action and post match reaction