Full Time: Sporting CP 0-1 Barcelona
Fortune favoured the team from Catalunya who played at the Estadio Jose Alvalade in the 2nd Champions League group stage match tonight. Barcelona edged past Sporting Lisbon 1-0, thanks to a Sebastien Coates own goal, in what was a pretty dull and unenterprising match. Barcelona players looked off colour and their game had no real tempo and rhythm. Sporting were resilient and were looking for chances on the break.
The first half was a cagey affair. Barcelona tried to keep the ball with no real attacking intent and Sporting defence was compact and their forwards, on guard. No real chances came from either side until the 20th minute when Messi had a decent opportunity when he tested Rui Patricio from a Jordi Alba pass.
Suarez came close next but Patricio had his goal covered at the near post. Marc Andre ter Stegen was called into action when he had to get down to stop Marcos Acuna’s 18-yard drive. Sporting forward Seydou Doumbia was shown a yellow card for diving in the Barcelona penalty box. Both the teams went into the half-time break with the score tied at 0-0.
Barcelona went ahead four minutes into the second half when a long range inswinging Messi free-kick bounced off Suarez’s head and then hit Coates to find it’s way into the back of the net. Funny statistic. In the last two games, Barcelona have scored 4 goals. One of those 4 goals has been scored by a Barca player the rest have been own goals!
Messi was denied a chance to score his 100th Champions League goal and it was by former Barca defender, Jeremy Mathieu who slid in superbly. Sporting came close to an equaliser when Bas Dost picked out Bruno Fernandes in front of goal. But ter Stegen produced an excellent block using his body.
Barcelona could have extended their lead in the dying minutes when Paulinho, who was substituted on for Iniesta, shot straight at the keeper after being put through on goal.
Here’s how Twitteratis reacted to the lifeless match:
Iniesta: “with confidence the team will grow.” [Sport] #FCBlive pic.twitter.com/bhiOc1PcZ1
— Catalan Edition (@CatalanEdition) September 27, 2017
Leo #Messi equals @Carles5puyol and is now third on the all time appearance list for Barça https://t.co/7NOcHS9ygQ pic.twitter.com/qqYRNWtUvd
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) September 27, 2017
One game Valverde is rejuvenating Messi, the other he’s slacking off and making it harder for him.
Reactionary!— RAHUL (@LionelCruyff) September 27, 2017
We’ll never have anyone like Xavi. But what we can have is someone of his profile. Not Paulinho. Not Rakitić. Weak excuse. https://t.co/mz6USJrTsx
— Josip (@jperkovic93) September 27, 2017
The pitch invader who went on to Meet Leo. [@Barzaboy] #FCBlive pic.twitter.com/ibwDBGLi1D
— Catalan Edition (@CatalanEdition) September 27, 2017
Barcelona’s worst match of the season if we pretend the Super Cup matches vs Real Madrid never happened, and we all do so…
— Rafael Hernández (@RafaelH117) September 27, 2017
Valverde must find a solution to Suarez & Rakitic poor performances, they cant keep getting a free pass due to their past. Improve or bench.
— El Máestro (@ElMaestrofcb) September 27, 2017