LYON • Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde let his players know in no uncertain terms their struggles in front of goal could cost them dear, admitting their 0-0 draw at Lyon in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie was a "dangerous result".
While the Spanish champions had the lion's share of possession on Tuesday, they were profligate with only five of 25 shots on target.
The home team, who were missing suspended captain Nabil Fekir, almost made them pay when Martin Terrier hit the bar early on.
Lionel Messi and his teammates were once again left frustrated on their travels and have now gone six away matches without winning in the knockout stages, scoring just a single goal in three years.
Luis Suarez's European form is of particular concern to Barcelona fans - he has yet to open his account this season and again failed to net away from the Nou Camp - a drought that dates back to Sept 16, 2015.
But Valverde dismissed Suarez's critics, insisting he was not worried as the Uruguay international was still "generating scoring chances, which is what is asked of a striker".
He said: "Even if he doesn't have chances, he creates them for his teammates. Opponents are frightened of him.
24
Hours Luis Suarez played without scoring an away goal for Barcelona in the Champions League, since he netted against Roma in 2015
"Football is like that and strikers will have these streaks. The important thing is to have chances."
Defender Gerard Pique also backed his teammate to rediscover his touch in front of goal, claiming if "Suarez has shown one thing, it is that he has a lot of goals in him".
However, with Barcelona not at their flowing best after a run of four draws in their past five matches, Valverde conceded "the tie is in the air" when Lyon arrive in Spain for the second leg on March 13.
The Spaniard added: "I don't think it's very easy to win away from home in the Champions League. We have absolutely dominated and they have not lost in this competition this season.
"We played good football, but you have to hit the target as well, and we didn't. We deserved a better result and did enough to win. It just wasn't our night. We are on the right road, though and... we will try to win it in front of our fans."
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, THE GUARDIAN
Man Utd to play Inter and Spurs to face Juve in International Champions Cup United face Inter on July 20 th and the game will be "AIA is proud to be the Presenting Partner of the 2019
Man United v Inter, Juve v Spurs in Singapore in July, Latest
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola believes his side have raised the bar in the Premier League after edging one point back ahead of Liverpool in a titanic title race with a 2-0 win at
Pep Guardiola says Manchester City, Liverpool have set new
Man City's Aguero in frame to face Brighton in FA Cup 2 Min Read FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Premier League - Fulham v Manchester City - Craven Cottage, London, Britain - March 30, 2019
Football: Man City's Aguero in frame to face Brighton in FA
MAURIZIO SARRI admits the axe is hanging over him after just five months as Chelsea boss. Chelsea need to get back to winning ways against they are really very suitable for my football
What's gone wrong for Chelsea? 5 ways Maurizio Sarri can
Messi and Maradona plead for Sala search to continue Independent.ie Lionel Messi and Diego Maradona have joined calls to resume the search for the missing plane carrying Cardiff striker Emiliano Sala.
Emiliano Sala: Lionel Messi leads calls from across football
Football: Former Lion Kadir Yahaya joins Tampines Rovers as adviser, to guide coach-in-waiting Gavin Lee
Latest KADIR YAHAYA | The Straits Times
OSIJEK, Croatia (Reuters) - Croatia and Hungary pulled away at the top of Euro 2020 qualifying Group E after victories on Saturday in what is shaping up to be a fiercely competitive pool.
Croatia survive England onslaught, thrive in extra time to
Hariss Harun insists Home United have proved they can more than match Albirex Niigata (S) ahead of this week's Singapore Cup semifinal over two legs.
Hariss Harun says Home United can beat Albirex in Singapore
TEAM NEWS: Reds retain Kerevi, warned of Shark attack if defence doesn't improve 17 Apr 2019 Super Rugby reds captain Samu Kerevi has been named to face the Sharks despite speculation he would be
Reds: ok to attack or not? : X4Foundations - reddit.com
- Katayoun Khosrowyar, head coach of Iran's U19 women's football team, says that the 2019 Kuban Spring Women U19 Tournament is a good warm-up tournament for her team. Defending champions Russia, Iran, Azerbaijan and Belarus will participate in the competition which will be held in Sochi, Russia from March 1-5. - 3/1/19
In Italy, a Top Club Stands Alone in Supporting Women's
Newcastle took a huge step towards securing their Premier League survival as Ayoze Perez sealed a 1-0 win against Leicester on Friday. Rafael Benitez's side moved 10 points clear of the relegation
Football: Perez heads Newcastle closer to Premier League
Arsenal favourites with best run-in - Latest News
0 comments:
Post a Comment