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.
Fans who purchase the World Cup Ticket Package on reds.com may pick up their T-shirt at the World Cup Viewing Village events, which coincide with every match the US Women's National team plays, or at any Reds home game at the Fan Club Corner (just inside the main entrance).
Liverpool vs. Tottenham Champions League score: Salah
Former Arsenal, Real Madrid and Spain star Jose Antonio Reyes has been killed in a car crash, his hometown club Sevilla said on Saturday. He was 35. Reyes, who shot to fame at Sevilla before a
Football: Grief in Sevilla as former star Jose Antonio Reyes
Man City vs Crystal Palace Premier League 2018/19 Venue: Etihad Stadium Champions Manchester City will trail Premier League leaders Liverpool by four points on Christmas Day after a shock 3-2 loss
Football: Man City end Newport's Cup dream to reach quarter-finals Man City end Newport's Cup dream to reach quarter-finals. Soccer Football - FA Cup Fifth Round - Newport County AFC v
Football: Man City end Newport's Cup dream to reach quarter
Spurs shine to hit Everton for six. scores their fifth goal during the English Premier League football match between Everton and Tottenham Hotspur at Goodison Park in Liverpool, north west
Football: Spurs shine to hit Everton for six, Football News
Southampton stun fading Tottenham, Newcastle edge five-goal Everton thriller Southampton staged a superb fightback to boost their bid for Premier League survival with a shock 2-1 win that left
Southampton stun fading Spurs, Newcastle edge five-goal
starrsportsgh.com/2019/03/southampton-stun-fading-spurs-newcastle-edge-five-goal-everton-thriller/
Brighton also boosted their survival hopes thanks to Anthony Knockaert's brilliant strike to win 2-1 at Crystal Palace, while Newcastle battled back from 2-0 down to beat Everton 3-2. Despite their poor domestic form of late, Spurs were boosted by victory at Borussia Dortmund in midweek to reach the quarterfinals of the Champions League.
Southampton stun fading Spurs, Newcastle edge Everton in five
7. Cricket, football, pub sports and ten-pin bowling 8. Boxing, martial arts and weightlifting 9. Minor team sports 10. Water sports 11. Other sports Activities such as dancing, yoga, boxing, martial arts and weightlifting are characterised by frequent participation while sports such as athletics and rugby are characterisedby less
MUNICH, Germany, March 12 (Reuters) - Liverpool coach Juergen Klopp has said that the outcome of their Champions League last-16 tie against Bayern Munich on Wednesday will not affect the Premier
Liverpool result at Bayern won't affect Premier League bid
Newcastle fans, who had seen their side narrowly escape defeat in the home match with Championship Blackburn, were given some respite from their top-flight struggles with a replay win against
David Beckham salutes LA Galaxy and Los Angeles as statue unveiled Beckham won back-to-back championships in 2011 and 2012 during his six years and 98 appearances with the Galaxy.
Football: David Beckham salutes LA Galaxy and Los Angeles as
Champions League final 2019: Liverpool's Roberto Firmino passed fit by Jurgen Klopp to face Tottenham. The Brazilian has been struggling with a groin problem, but is now in the clear to start at
Roberto Firmino passed fit for Champions League final, Jurgen
sportsalert.org/2019/05/31/roberto-firmino-passed-fit-for-champions-league-final-jurgen-klopp-confirms/
Liverpool have been given a huge boost ahead of their Champions League final against Tottenham - with Roberto Firmino returning to fitness. The Brazilian has missed the last three matches, including the semi-final victory over Barcelona, with a thigh problem.
Klopp confirms Firmino fitness for Champions League final
Portugal coach Fernando Santos believes that talismanic forward Cristiano Ronaldo can continue playing at the highest level for both club and country for at least three to four years. Soccer
Portugal coach says Ronaldo can stay at the top for several
Liverpool forward Roberto Firmino has already been ruled out of the second leg against Barcelona. The problems are adding up for manager Jurgen Klopp as Roberto Firmino, who tore a muscle last
Official Liverpool FC Store | Liverpool FC Ball
AD
store.liverpoolfc.com/ball
Report Ad
Browse Our Wide Range Of Exclusive Liverpool FC Souvenirs. Shop Online Now.
FAS' media-rights partner begins bankruptcy process. Dec 30, 2018, 5:00 am. Football: MP & Silva's Singapore office in provisional liquidation following London HQ's insolvency.
Campus Middle School snowflake fundraiser supports The Denver
Singapore's Akbar is best coach in I-League, Football News
0 comments:
Post a Comment