Umtiti leads water-tight Barca defence at Juve
Barcelona are into the knockout rounds of the Champions League as group winners after a goalless draw against Juventus in Turin on Wednesday. With one game to go, they have a three-point lead over the Italians and their superior head-to-head record means even defeat against Sporting Lisbon in their final group match won't knock them off top spot.
Positives
This Barca side are proving a tough nut to crack. They have conceded just five goals in 17 La Liga and Champions League games this season and Juventus rarely looked like breaching them. Defenders Samuel Umtiti and Gerard Pique, screened by Sergio Busquets, both produced good performances. And when he was needed, in stoppage time, goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen was on hand to deny Paulo Dybala what would have been an undeserved winner.
Negatives
Ernesto Valverde decided to leave Lionel Messi on the bench -- purely because of the amount of football he's played recently, he explained after the game -- and it told. Barca failed to create any notable chances, despite dominating the ball at the Allianz Stadium. Even with Messi in the side, questions are being asked of the Catalans' ability to create chances.
Manager rating out of 10
7 -- Valverde took the bold decision to leave Messi on the bench but was smiling come full-time as his side secured their place at the top of the group. Jordi Alba was also rested. The coach will hope for more rewards at the weekend when he goes back to his strongest side, with a refreshed Messi, for the visit to second-placed Valencia in La Liga.
Player ratings (1-10; 10 = best. Players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating)
GK Marc-Andre ter Stegen, 7 -- Another clean sheet for the in-form German goalkeeper, who guaranteed Barcelona's point with a good save from Dybala in stoppage time.
DF Nelson Semedo, 6 -- A lively performance from the Portuguese international, who has been thrust into a regular starting spot following an injury to Sergi Roberto. His pace causes problems, although he occasionally takes too many touches.
DF Gerard Pique, 7 -- One of his best performances of an inconsistent season. Did well against Gonzalo Higuain in the air and nullified the Juve threat. Will be missed at Valencia on Sunday when he's suspended.
DF Samuel Umtiti, 8 -- Along with Ter Stegen and Messi, the French defender's been one of Barca's best players this season. Was brilliant again in Turin.
DF Lucas Digne, 6 -- Rotated into the side in place of Alba, he was part of a well-organised backline. Had a great chance to score in the second half, but instead chose to pass to Suarez, missing his target.
Samuel Umtiti FILIPPO MONTEFORTE/AFP/Getty Images
MF Sergio Busquets, 7 -- An exemplary performance in front of the back four. Some of his twists and turns on the ball were both risky and genius. Luckily for him, they all came off.
MF Ivan Rakitic, 5 -- Gave the ball away too often in the first half. It almost came back to bite him once, but Dybala's shot was straight at Ter Stegen. Almost scored when his deep free kick deceived everyone and hit Gianluigi Buffon's post.
MF Paulinho, 5 -- The most advanced of a five-man midfield behind Suarez, the Brazilian huffed and puffed but showed few signs of quality. Two long-range efforts failed to find the target.
MF Andres Iniesta, 6 -- A quiet game from the Barca captain, who lacked the players he usually links up with in Alba and Messi, both left among the substitutes.
FW Gerard Deulofeu, 6 -- Replaced by Messi after 55 minutes, he'd done OK until then. Was disciplined on the ball and looked like his pace could cause problems. Unfortunate to be sacrificed.
FW Luis Suarez, 6 -- Returned to the scoresheet at the weekend but was scoreless again here. His best chance came from a free kick that was deflected just over in the second half.
Substitutes
FW Lionel Messi, 6 -- A surprise exclusion from the initial lineup, the Argentine was introduced just before the hour but could not swing the game in his side's favour.
DF Jordi Alba, NR -- A late introduction for Iniesta to run the clock down.
Source: espn.co.uk
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