Barcelona qualified Wednesday for the first knockout round of the Champions League after a goalless draw at Juventus. However, Juventus are second in the group, one point ahead of Sporting CP, who beat 3-1 over Olympiacos Piraeus.
In the end, the point taken by the Catalans brings them to the first place in Group D table, and they can now devote themselves to the championship, which they are leaders, until February.
Italian giants Juventus will go, they look for the points that are still missing on the lawn of Olympiakos, already eliminated, on the last day. A victory would bring the qualification and a draw not necessarily.
From the announcement of the formation of the teams, the public was cooled by the absence of Barca’ Lionel Messi, only replacing in persective of the clash at the top the La Liga Sunday against Valencia.
The Argentine genie finally came in the 55th minute and it was thought he was going to shake the torpor of Juventus Stadium a bit. But it was not very impressive and it was not the theme of the evening.
In the half time without passion, the best opportunities were coming for Turin with a shot from Douglas Costa in the second minute and a shot over Paulo Dybala before the break.
Barca, meanwhile, hit Buffon’s post on a long Rakitic free-kick that no one touched at 22nd minute. But aparat from that, the Turin goalkeeper, who played his first match since the elimination of Italy in the World Cup roadbock, was very quiet.
Juventus’ Andrea Barzagli closes down Barcelona’s Luis Suarez. (Source:www.skysports.com)
Back to Alex Sandro who works it to Dybala in 90+2 minute. He flashes a forceful shot with his left foot from the edge of Argentine and Ter Setegen drops quickly to his right to tip it round the post.
Sporting will visit Barcelona in the last round of group games, Juve on the other hand will travel to Athens to face Olympiacos. They’ll be confident of winning but their quest for the advantage of finishing top is all but cooked.
Ernesto Valverde’s side, meanwhile, has a much bigger match to play against Valencia in the week 13 of La Liga on Sunday, and they made it clear.
Barcelona currently sit on the top of La Liga standings with 34 points after playing 12 matches this season, four point ahead of Valencia and ten points ahead of Real Madrid.
