Juventus 0-0 Barcelona: Catalans confirm qualification

 

Juventus were left frustrated by Barcelona as they played out an engrossing 0-0 draw in Turin on Wednesday night.

Ernesto Valverde left Lionel Messi on the bench as he wanted to see what his team could do without their No 10 leading the attack, but the answer will have underwhelmed the Barcelona coach.
The two teams played out a cagey first half as neither side wanted to give an inch in an intense encounter, which surprisingly lack quality in the final third.

Barcelona hit the post when Ivan Rakitic's free-kick avoided everyone on its way to clattering the woodwork with the rebound bouncing off Paulinho's head and going wide.

The Brazil international was booked when he threw himself over Miralem Pjanic's leg in the Juventus box as he looked to win a penalty but the referee spotted the blatant dive and cautioned the former Spurs man.

Team news

Lionel Messi was surprisingly left out of the starting line-up by Ernesto Valverde, a sign the weekend clash with Valencia could be more important to his team. Gianluigi Buffon and Andrea Barzagli returned for Juventus after being rested following Italy’s failure to reach the World Cup.

Juventus' best chance of the opening 45 minutes was made by Paulo Dybala as he collected an Alex Sandro pass midway inside the Barcelona half, before running beyond the defence before viciously striking the ball over from 12 yards.

Valverde eventually called upon Messi in the 56th minute, as he looked for some inspiration for a side who has struggled to create opportunities.

Player ratings

Juventus: Buffon (6), Sandro (6), Barzagli (7), Rugani (7), Benatia (8), Cuadrado (7), Pjanić (6), Khedira (6), Costa (7), Higuaín (6), Dybala (7)

Subs: Bentacur (6), Marchisio (6), Matuidi (6)

Barcelona: Ter Stegen (7), Semedo (7), Pique (7), Rakitic (8), Busquets (7), Iniesta (8), Suarez (6), Paulinho (6), Deulofeu (6), Digne (7), Umtiti (7)

Subs: Messi (7), Alba (6)

Man of the match: Ivan Rakitic

The Argentine almost made the difference when his sumptuous ball over the top found its way to Lucas Digne after Juan Cuadrado fell to the ground, but the France international strangely decided to cross rather than shoot when through on goal and his weak pass was easily cleared by the home defence.