Barcelona and Atletico Madrid taste defeat in UEFA Champions League trips

La Liga club sides Barcelona and Atletico Madrid were on losing ends on Tuesday evening on their respective trips to the UEFA Champions League.

Both sides had previously played two games each in the group stage so far, with one victory and a loss, respectively. Therefore, there was a need to win Tuesday’s fixture as Barcelona traveled to the San Siro to face Inter Milan in Italy while Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid went to Belgium to face Club Brugge.

In Italy, Inter Milan overcame their poor run of form in the Seria A to bear Barcelona 1-0 thanks to Hakan Çalhanoğlu’s solitary strike.

The Turkish international had threatened Marc Andre Ter-Stegen in Barcelona’s goal while the Nerazzurri were denied scoring opportunities thanks to the VAR.

However, just before halftime, Federico Dimarco started a counter-attack which ended with Calhanoglu, who then hit a shot past Ter Stegen.

Barcelona was close to scoring in the second half, but Dembele’s effort hit the post, while Pedri’s goal was ruled out due to a handball by Ansu Fati in the lead-up to the goal in what was a frustrating night for the Blaugrana.

Barcelona is in a difficult position as they sit third behind Bayern Munich and Inter Milan in first and second, respectively. The Blaugrana will still face Inter at Camp Nou while there is still Bayern Munich and Viktoria Plzen to play in the group stage.

This means that Xavi’s men could face a second consecutive drop into the UEFA Europa League if results do not improve.

Meanwhile, Antoine Griezman lost a second-half penalty as Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid lost 2-0 to high-flying Club Brugge.

Kamal Sowah and Ferran Jutgla were on target in either half to secure a massive win for the Belgians, who sit top of a group that has Bayer Leverkusen and Porto without conceding in three games.