Madrid: Barcelona allowed themselves the luxury of starting with Lionel Messi on the bench and still held out for a 0-0 draw against Juventus at Turin to reach the last 16 of the Champions League, Wednesday. In another game played here, a stunning Antoine Griezmann goal kept Atletico Madrid’s hopes of qualifying for the pre-quarters alive.
Barcelona, who brought on Messi early in the second half, enjoyed long spells of possession but used it as a defensive tactic to stop Juventus attacking rather than creating chances for themselves.
Juve were lacklustre, with forward Gonzalo Higuain barely getting a look-in as they failed to score in a home match for the first time since September last year.
The Serie A side, who are second in Group D, will qualify for the last 16 unless they fail to beat Olympiakos away in their final game next month and Sporting Lisbon win at Barcelona.
Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde said that Messi needed a rest. “He had to take a break at some point… he’s been playing a lot of games,” he stated.
Griezmann’s spectacular scissors-kick helped Atletico Madrid earn a 2-0 win over Roma. The striker scored his first goal in nine games in the 69th minute before setting up Kevin Gameiro for the second in the closing stages to silence his critics.
Atletico are two points behind Roma and must beat group leaders Chelsea at Stamford Bridge and hope Qarabag get at least a draw in Italy if the Spanish side are to qualify.
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