Barcelona failed to score despite managing 25 shots in their goalless stalemate at Olympique Lyonnais in the Champions League last-16 on Tuesday, leaving the tie finely balanced ahead of next month’s second leg.
Only five of the visitors’ attempts were on target but neither Lionel Messi, Ousmane Dembele nor the disappointing Luis Suarez could beat keeper Anthony Lopes at the Groupama stadium.
Lyon could even have taken the lead if it were not for a splendid Mac Andre ter Stegen save in the first half when the German tipped a ferocious Marc Terrier shot onto his crossbar.
“We came here to try and put in a good performance but we couldn’t get the goal. Twenty five shots isnot bad, you need to score but when you haveso many shots it means you played well, and we did,” said Barca defender Clement Lenglet.
“We justlacked a bit of confidence, and I’m sure we’ll score at the Nou Camp (on March 13).”
The breakthrough might not come from Uruguay forward Suarez, who has not scored in almost 25 hours in the Champions League.
“Let’s see what happens in the Camp Nou but it’s always good to go away from home and not concede. Lyon played well but their keeper was very good,” said Lenglet.
Barca coach Ernesto Valverde added: “My feeling is that we played well. We were switched on. I think that we deserved a better result and did enough to win. It just wasn’t our night.
“We are strong at home but there’s no denying that 0-0 away from home is a dangerous first leg result. We’ll really need our fans at the Camp Nou – everything’s up for grabs.”
Lyon are hoping the return of their France striker and captain Nabil Fekir, who was suspended on Tuesday, will help them get an away goal.
“We know that he has what it takes, technically, to help us and to get that goal for us,” said coach Bruno Genesio.
OL may not have scored but crucially they did not concede either, despite being overwhelmed in the second half, largely thanks to fullback Leo Dubois and centre back Jason Denayer.
“We had chances but didn’t put them away,” said forward Bertrand Traore.
“We were solid. In these kind of matches you have to be very disciplined. A 0-0 is a rather good result ahead of the return leg.”
First Published: Feb 20, 2019 08:58 IST
Source: HindustanTimes