Barcelona seal top spot with draw at Juventus

Barcelona seal top spot with draw at Juventus 

Barcelona seal top spot with draw at Juventus 

Champions League Group D, Juventus Stadium - Juventus 0 Barcelona 0 

Barcelona secured top spot in Champions League Group D with a controlled execution in a 0-0 draw at Juventus. 

 Juventus v FC Barcelona 

Ernesto Valverde selected to begin Blaugrana charm, Lionel Messi on the seat, yet will be content that his bet paid off as the guests held firm to seal advance to the last 16, with the Argentine highlighting for most of the second half. 

Juventus didn't do what's needed in open play with Paulo Dybala their most hazardous aggressor. In reality, it was Barcelona who came nearest to scoring in the main time frame when Ivan Rakitic's free kick dodged everybody before returning off the far post. 

The outcome leaves Il Bianconeri with more work to do as they are one point clear of third-put Sporting Lisbon with one diversion left. 

Barcelona have Sporting on December 5, while Juventus visit base put Olympiakos realizing that in the event that they coordinate the Portuguese side's outcome they will guarantee second place. 

Juventus' forward from Argentina Paulo Dybala (R) strives with Barcelona's French safeguard Samuel Umtiti amid the UEFA Champions League conflict 

Juventus' forward from Argentina Paulo Dybala (R) strives with Barcelona's French safeguard Samuel Umtiti amid the UEFA Champions League clashGetty Images 

Idea 

Was 55 minutes an advantageous rest for Messi? The Argentine was a stun exclusion from the beginning XI and that hasn't run down well with one of the amusement's most prominent ever previously. Valverde may well have had one eye on Barca's La Liga coordinate at second-set Valencia on Sunday, however given that they had a first-half cataclysm when they lost 3-0 in Turin in last season's quarter finals, a comparative circumstance here would have left the mentor with many inquiries to reply. 

It didn't turn out that route as the Catalans got the point they required and in the process showed that they seem to have a more grounded determination this term, extending their unbeaten raced to 18 matches. Messi might be that tad fresher, however the reality he played the greater part of the second half will have many scratching their heads. In the event that he creates a match-winning presentation at the Mestalla, maybe Valverde will guarantee it vindicated his choice. Watch this space. 

Lionel Messi fell off the seat to show up, equalling the record of Roberto Carlos for the most made in the opposition by a South American