Barcelona's containment policy books last-eight spot

Internazionale 0 Barcelona

It was self-interest which inspired Barcelona's composed defensive display at San Siro last night but there will be plenty at Sir Bobby Robson's old club pleased that, in securing their own passage to the last-eight of the Champions' League, they helped maintain Newcastle's improbable qualification dream.

Had either Patrick Kluivert or Gabri converted late chances Newcastle's prospects would be even more favourable but Barcelona at least ensured the fate of "Mister Robson" is in their own hands.

Newcastle still need to win here on 11 March but they will face an Internazionale team whose momentum, in contrast to the Toon, is downwards. Prior to this match, they had been defeated at Chievo, thrashed 3-0 in the Nou Camp and jeered by their own fans as they struggled against Piacenza on Sunday. Their faltering confidence showed as they struggled to create chances and, when a few finally arrived, missed horribly with the £32m Christian Vieri especially guilty. Only once was Barcelona goalkeeper Roberto Bonano required to make a decent save and the man who tested him, Stéphane Dalmat, soon became the latest of Inter's jinxed strikers.

Dalmat, a Ronaldo lookalike who appears to have modelled himself on the chunky 2003 edition, was only in attack as Mohammed Kallon had departed injured. Inter have an array of forward talent but with Gabriel Batistuta ineligible, Hernan Crespo injured and Alvaro Recoba suspended (all three will also miss Newcastle's visit) Hector Cuper was forced to bring on Martins Obafemi, an emergency transfer window signing. His first shot was so wild it returned to the crosser, Vieri. Not that Vieri could complain, having just mis-kicked when Domenico Morfeo set him up.

Barcelona, who remain unbeaten against Inter here, came with a policy of containment and counter-attack which easily doused Inter's early fire. With Carles Puyol and Frank de Boer outstanding, it was not until the 18th minute that Inter had a shot, Kallon volleying over from 25 yards. Vieri's first effort, tame and easily saved, did not arrive until first half injury-time.

Barcelona, meanwhile, regularly pierced Inter's left flank with Fabio Rochemback, in for the injured Marc Overmars, a constant menace as he linked with Gabri. Both ought to have added to Inter's frustration but their finishing did not match their movement.

But their profligacy should have been punished soon after the restart when Vieri escaped De Boer to meet Giovanni Pasquale's cross. Incredibly he headed wide from eight yards.

Apart from a flurry by the doomed Dalmat that was it from Inter. The patience of their fans, who were being kept updated on Newcastle's progress by the scoreboard, finally gave way with a bottle thrown at Michael Reiziger. Fortunately it was as inaccurate as Vieri. Newcastle will hope to prompt similar anger.

Internazionale (4-4-2): Toldo; J Zanetti, Cannavaro, Gamarra, Pasquale; Guly (Sergio Conceicão, 77), C Zanetti, Dalmat (Martins Obafemi, 60), Morfeo; Kallon (Di Biagio, 34), Vieri. Substitutes not used: Fontana (gk), Materazzi, Vivas, Coco.

Barcelona (4-4-2): Bonano; Gabri, Puyol (Andersson, 78), De Boer, Reiziger; Rochemback (Riquelme, 65), Xavi, Cocu (Mendieta, 56), Motta; Kluivert, Saviola. Substitutes not used: Enke (gk), Dani, Iniesta.

Referee: U Meier (Switzerland).