Barcelona secured their place as Champions League Group D winners after securing a valuable 0-0 draw against Juventus in Torino. This positive result against last year’s finalists meant that Barca reached the knockout stages of the most prestigious competition in European football for the 14th season in a row, a considerable achievement that can’t be overlooked.
Valverde’s decision to use Messi as a second-half substitute was undoubtedly the story of the game. Without their inspirational leader for the seemingly eternal initial 56 minutes, his Barca teammates failed to create any significant danger upfront despite having the vast majority of possession throughout. Not having a dominant player of La Pulga’s calibre as a reference resulted in the Blaugranas becoming far less incisive, particularly against Juventus’ well-organised back-line.
To be fair, however, the inclusion of Messi in the later stages didn’t quite change the direction of the match either. Sure, Barcelona did become more purposeful and dynamic in attacking transitions but, unfortunately, stepping up a gear at that late stage did not have the desired effect in front of goal.
Francesc live-tweeted the game as it happened:
Messi has not been a sub for Barca since October 2016, against Deportivo after an international break.— Francesc????TheBarcelonaPod (@TheBarcelonaPod) November 22, 2017
Barca with the vast majority of possession, yet not creating any significant danger as a result. Game seems on stand-by until Messi’s brought in. #JuventusBarcelona #FCBLive— Francesc????TheBarcelonaPod (@TheBarcelonaPod) November 22, 2017
Paulinho!! Not quite sure how he does it, but always involved somehow when we get close to the opponents’ goal.#JuventusBarcelona #FCBLive— Francesc????TheBarcelonaPod (@TheBarcelonaPod) November 22, 2017
This game shows how important it is to have world-class, difference-making forwards in modern football.#JuventusBarcelona #FCBLive— Francesc????TheBarcelonaPod (@TheBarcelonaPod) November 22, 2017
That is absolutely SUPERB!! Delighted to have made a difference!! Say hi to all your new Culé buddies for us ???????????? https://t.co/ytfcEeyU2i— Francesc????TheBarcelonaPod (@TheBarcelonaPod) November 22, 2017
Precisely my thoughts! https://t.co/QmBVoebdcS— Francesc????TheBarcelonaPod (@TheBarcelonaPod) November 22, 2017
Barca have been solid and consistent, yet also lacked imagination and creativity upfront. If only we had a sub capable of changing the game! ????#JuventusBarcelona #FCBLive— Francesc????TheBarcelonaPod (@TheBarcelonaPod) November 22, 2017
Aaaaaaand… There’s Messi pic.twitter.com/dETqI96teo— Francesc????TheBarcelonaPod (@TheBarcelonaPod) November 22, 2017
Very true, and easily overlooked. https://t.co/aAmjeuiCKK— Francesc????TheBarcelonaPod (@TheBarcelonaPod) November 22, 2017
The Guardiola years were brilliant. We know. But things have changed since, and we need to accept things are different now. Less brilliant, for sure, but still our team. Let’s support them!!#JuventusBarcelona #FCBLive— Francesc????TheBarcelonaPod (@TheBarcelonaPod) November 22, 2017
Jordi Alba as a winger, keeping Digne as full-back. Valverde is full of surprises, that’s for sure.#JuventusBarcelona #FCBLive— Francesc????TheBarcelonaPod (@TheBarcelonaPod) November 22, 2017
Marc!!! ????— Francesc????TheBarcelonaPod (@TheBarcelonaPod) November 22, 2017
Who was your Man of the Match vs Juve?? ???? https://t.co/7ZWLn9ojdj— Francesc????TheBarcelonaPod (@TheBarcelonaPod) November 22, 2017
❓❓❓ We record again tomorrow!! Send us your question NOW and you will get a mention. Ask away, Cules! pic.twitter.com/j4uzyRlPg1— Francesc????TheBarcelonaPod (@TheBarcelonaPod) November 22, 2017
Match Stats:
Player Ratings:
Ter Stegen – 8
Semedo – 7
Umtiti – 6
Pique – 6
Digne – 6
Busquets – 7
Iniesta – 7
Rakitic – 6
Paulinho – 6
Deulofeu – 5
Luis Suarez – 6
Subs:
Messi – 7
Alba – 6
Barcelona showed an obvious lack of quality upfront. We talked about the need for signings in January in our latest podcast, here:
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