Barcelona HELD by resilient Praha at the Camp Nou; Barcelona 0 - 0 Slavia Praha

Barca occupy the top of Group F with eight points

Barcelona HELD by resilient Praha at the Camp Nou; Barcelona 0 - 0 Slavia Praha
Lionel Messi

Slavia Praha showcased their best football in a game that will go down in history after fetching a goaless draw game at the Camp Nou.

Trpišovský's game plan was formed after the home defeat and it worked a treat, including the tasks done by substitutes.

 

 

Barcelona’s formation was nominally 4-3-3 but they played so high up the pitch, in numbers, that two things were guaranteed, thrills and the opposition catching them on the counterattack. Dembélé was deployed on the right, with Messi and Vidal through the middle as Griezmann was positioned wide left to cut in.

Slavia employed one striker up whenever Barcelona played out from the back letting them move forward from Ter Stegen’s penalty area - but then they tried to gang up on them around the halfway line.

Semedo was rewarded with the best chance of the match in the 11-minute but failed to utilize the opportunity. The right back found space on the right and scurried deep into the Slavia box before side footing to Kolář's near post. The keeper stood up well.

 

 

Slavia's defensive line forced Barcelona's forwards to trackback to avoid the offside trap. The hosts had their effort at goal blocked in the 27 minute after Olayinka gave Semedo a taste of his own medicine as he turned the right back inside out before pulling back a pass for Stanciu. It was terrific opening but the shot hurt a teammate’s back and flew over.

The visitors looked threatening anytime they were on the break giving the defensive line a game to contest.

Messi was denied by the post from opening the scores for Barcelona 15 minutes to end the first half.

 

 

Slavia's back line was enticed into Barcelona's half and Messi waited on the halfway line before scampering after a through ball. He advanced to the edge of the box, skipped past a couple of recovering defenders and fired an effort off the bar and into the hands of Kolář.

Sergi Roberto was introduced for Jordi Alba in the second half after hamstring injury.

Lionel Messi found the net in the 59-minute but the assistant flag was raised as VAR’s consultation confirmed the decision. The visitors displayed a sensational performance, with high press and narrow shape, which kept Barcelona and a rampant Messi at bay.

The referee ended the game after three minutes of additional time.