Genesio’s Lyon kings hold Barca
LIONEL MESSI’S worldbeaters were denied an away goal by a superb Lyon performance at the Groupama Stadium.
Bruno Genesio’s men had no intention of meekly surrendering home advantage and going to the Nou Camp with the tie already lost.
Lyon clearly fancied their chances and almost had the lead after five minutes when Houssem Aouar worked an opening on the edge of the box.
The midfielder pulled the trigger only for Marc-andre ter Stegen to get down low and turn it behind.
Five minutes later the Barca keeper made an even better save when Martin Terrier let fly with a blistering drive, but Ter Stegen managed to push it on to the bar.
Having weathered the early storm, Barca fought their way back and Ousmane Dembele found himself on the left side of the box for a one-on-one with keeper Anthony
Lopes. But as Dembele shot, Lopes was quickly down to block his effort.
Lyon began to be pushed back deeper as the half went on, with Messi looking likely to create an opening.
But it was Sergio Busquets who almost scored with the last kick of the half, only to see his effort hit Jason Denayer’s backside and slide just past the left upright.
Lyon went close early in the second half when Memphis Depay tried his luck on the rebound from the edge of the box and Ter Stegen was relieved to see if fly just wide.
Luis Suarez almost gave Barca the lead after an hour only for his closerange shot to be blocked by Leo Dubois, before Messi had a snap effort well saved by Lopes.
Lopes came to the rescue to deny Philippe Coutinho, and four minutes from time he did it again with Busquets’ effort heading towards the net.