LYON (AFP) - Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde shrugged off his team's struggles in front of goal after they were held to a 0-0 draw in Lyon in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie on Tuesday (Feb 19).
The Spanish side had most of the chances at the Groupama Stadium, with Luis Suarez firing just wide in the second half, although it was Lyon who came the closest when Martin Terrier hit the bar early on.
Lionel Messi and Co. were once again left frustrated on the road at the business end of the competition, and have now gone six away matches without winning in the Champions League knockout rounds, scoring just a single goal in that time. It is a run that goes back three years.
Desperate to end Real Madrid's recent European dominance, Barca must now finish the job when the teams meet again at the Camp Nou on March 13, but Lyon remain in the tie.
Barcelona's form needs to improve between now and then, though - they have drawn four of their last five matches in all, and have scored just once, from a penalty, in their last three outings.
"We played good football, but you have to hit the target as well, and we didn't," Valverde said.
"We are on the right road, though, and the tie is still up in the air. We will try to win it in front of our fans.
"I am not happy with the result, but I am happy with the performance and with what we created.
"We didn't score, but that is how it is. It is not easy to win away from home in the Champions League."
The visitors - who started with Sergi Roberto in midfield rather than the out-of-form Philippe Coutinho - had good reason to be wary of their hosts, who have excelled in big games this season.
Bruno Genesio's team had taken four points from a possible six against Manchester City in the group stage and recently won at home to Paris Saint-Germain in Ligue 1.
They are still unbeaten in Europe this season, although this was their sixth consecutive draw.
"It's a satisfying result because it leaves us with a chance for the second leg, and we didn't concede. If we can score at the Camp Nou we'll have a chance of going through," said Genesio.
He admitted that he had hoped for an even better performance, but Lyon were missing their World Cup-winning captain Nabil Fekir due to suspension here.
It was the 21-year-old Terrier who surprisingly started in his place, and he delivered the most exciting moment of the first half for the crowd of almost 58,000 with a thunderous strike from 20 metres out in the ninth minute that was tipped onto the bar by Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
The same player later shot over at the end of a fantastic move, while Houssem Aouar had earlier been denied by the goalkeeper, but it was Barcelona who enjoyed the longer spells of possession.
Ousmane Dembele - one of two Frenchmen in the away line-up - came closest for them in the first half, although their best chances came after he had been replaced by Coutinho midway through the second period.
Suarez came within inches of breaking the deadlock 20 minutes from time, firing narrowly wide from Jordi Alba's cutback. He has now gone 16 away matches without scoring in the competition.
Coutinho had a powerful shot beaten away by Anthony Lopes, with the Lyon goalkeeper also frustrating Messi and Sergio Busquets as Barcelona dominated but departed without a potentially precious away goal.
"It is a little bit of a disappointment, but there is still the second leg to come and we hope to do better," said defender Clement Lenglet.
At least they extended their unbeaten record against Lyon to seven matches, but there remains hope for the French club ahead of the return.
Ronaldo and Silva shine as Portugal dominate best Nations League XI Monday, Jun 10 2019 12:28 Transfer roundup (09/06/19) - Wan-Bissaka, Bale and Umtiti amid reports
Ronaldo gets the gold with Silva lining - finance.yahoo.com
What Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and new coaching team will change at Manchester United. Man Utd have appointed Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as their new interim manager and MEN Sport caught up with key figures
Jose Mourinho: In defence of the Chelsea manager, who should
Soccer Football - Champions League - Liverpool Press Conference - Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany - March 12, 2019 Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp during the press conference Action Images via Reut
Premier League news: Barcelona defeat won't affect Liverpool
Paul Cox is refusing to let Mansfield's season drift to a conclusion now they are out of the play-off race. The Stags' 2-0 League Two defeat by Cheltenham on Monday ended their outside hopes of a
Pepe Reina demands strong finish - Sports Mole
Eriksen demands strong finish - theworldnews.net
Wigan 0 Everton 1: Tim Cahill heads late winner as Toffees extend splendid run. 'In Germany when I win, after the game I am half p****d, but I didn't even get a water!':
West Ham 0-2 Everton RESULT - Toffees win at London Stadium
VINCENT KOMPANY, City's captain, who is leaving on a high to become Belgian club Anderlecht's player-manager. "Zero," the Spaniard said when taking to the stage. "Now is time for good dinners and
City are the best: Kompany - theworldnews.net
Dancers welcome 2019 by circling the room to "When the Saints Go Marching In" during the Senior Noon Year celebration Monday at the Elwin Mussell Senior Center in Santa Maria. Len Wood, Staff
Sample Messages and Wishes! : Welcome Aboard Messages
Why Bayern Munich have not yet bid for Man City winger Leroy Sane. The German champions are interested in one of Manchester City's players but have not yet tabled a bid
Bayern have not yet tabled bid for Man City's Sane: Rummenigge
Only 6 days later, the new stadium will also host its first European game, when Manchester City visits Tottenham in the first leg of Champions League quarterfinals. But there is one thing that could potentially set back the grand opening of the new stadium (once again).
Tottenham's new stadium: All you need to know about Spurs
Real Madrid's Gareth Bale came off the bench and coolly converted a controversial penalty to secure a 2-1 win at Levante in La Liga on Sunday as the European champions rode their luck to stay
Man City face FIFA transfer ban: report A transfer ban for the Premier League champions would come less than a month after Chelsea were hit with the same sanction for 29 breaches of article 19
Man City to Get Points Deduction, Cl Ban & Transfer Ban
Fans are invited to watch the Champions League final on the giant screen at Space by M&S Bank Arena, The Auditorium Liverpool and the convention centre, on Saturday June 1. The screening, which is in association with BT Sport, the exclusive live broadcaster of the competition in the UK, will show
Champions League Final 2019 Live Screening - safra.sg
West Ham leave it late to see off spirited Huddersfield | Euronews March 16 (Reuters) - WEST HAM UNITED 4 HUDDERSFIELD TOWN 3 Substitute Javier Hernandez scored a late brace including a stoppage-time winner to help. Soccer Football - Premier League - West Ham United v Huddersfield Town - London Stadium, London , Britain - March 16, 2019 West
West Ham leave it late to see off spirited Huddersfield - The
0 komentar:
Posting Komentar