Ernesto Valverde has explained his decision to bench Lionel Messi after a goalless draw between Barcelona and Juventus.
The manager has labeled it as nothing but a ‘tactical-decision’. The Catalan club played out a 0-0 draw in Turin to secure their place in the knockout stage of the Champions League. But despite that, Ernesto Valverde surprised everyone, as he started the game without the Barcelona talisman Lionel Messi.
The Argentine was benched, with Valverde opting for a change in formation with Luis Suarez playing as the lone striker and he only introduced the infamous number 10 in the second half. However, despite many thinking that Messi was dropped because of an injury, both the Barca director of relations, Guillermo Amor and manager Ernesto Valverde has described it as a tactical decision.
The Barca manager believed Messi would be more dangerous in the second-half, in more open spaces. He said during his post-match interview, “He has built up a lot of games and we thought this time he could come on for the second half. We thought the game was going to be tight at the beginning and then it could be opened up later in the second half. That’s what happened.”
“These are internal decisions of the coach.” The manager replied while answering the controversial question.
0-0 – Barcelona have recorded goalless draws in back-to-back games in Champions League for the first time ever. Strange. pic.twitter.com/vcQP2cMI33
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) November 22, 2017
Barcelona decided to go with Suarez and Deulofeu in the attack and Brazilian Paulinho is slightly attacking-role against Juventus. The Argentine had previously played every minute of La Liga and Champions League action. The Catalans were unable to create opportunities throughout the game but a 0-0 draw was enough to book a place in last 16 as the Group D winners. Although, they have Ter Stegan to thank for his last-minute save off Dybala’s powerful shot.
Author’s Take:
Messi had played every minute of Barca’s campaign so far and the rest was necessary for an important game against Valencia. Valverde’s men will be back in the action in Spain with a mouth-watering top of the table clash against second-placed Valencia. However, with Messi getting the much-needed rest, Barca will now try to extend the gap at the top.
It was a bold decision by Valverde as it could have easily backfired. Barca was not at their best without Messi but they managed to survive without their superstar.
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