Barcelona advance despite benched Messi

Lionel Messi started on the bench but Barcelona advanced to the Champions League last 16 on Wednesday and clinched top spot in Group D after drawing 0-0 with Juventus in Turin.

Last season’s finalists Juventus remain second in the group following the stalemate, a point ahead of third-place Sporting Lisbon, and can secure their qualification with victory at Olympiakos on December 5.

Five-time European champions Barca came into the clash needing just a point to finish first in Group D, while Juventus needed to avoid defeat and Sporting to fail to beat Olympiakos in Lisbon in order to qualify.

But the Portuguese beat their Greek rivals 3-1 in Lisbon, leaving Juve needing three points in Athens to be sure of a last-16 place.

Barcelona star Messi surprisingly started on the bench, with Ernesto Valverde electing to rest the Argentinian ahead of Sunday’s top-of-the-table La Liga clash at Valencia.

“There are times when despite his great quality Leo has to rest,” said Valverde.

Messi came on after 56 minutes but could not follow up the brace he scored in the 3-0 beating Barca inflicted on Juve at the Camp Nou in September.

“Leo has played a lot since the beginning of the season. Like everyone he’s a bit tired,” continued the Barcelona coach.

“We thought that it could open up more in the second half and that it would be useful to give him a bit of rest with a view towards the championship.

“There’s always a risk of not playing him but it was a considered decision.”

Juventus boss Massimiliano Allegri admitted it had changed the dynamics not seeing Messi starting.

“It’s the first time in 13 matches that I’ve played Barcelona that Messi hasn’t played, but when he came on the players controlled him well.

“For us it’s an important point.”

Allegri recalled veteran duo Gianluigi Buffon and Andrea Barzagli after they were left out for Sunday’s 3-2 defeat at Sampdoria following Italy’s failure to qualify for the World Cup.

“We came to a difficult stadium against an opponent who are very strong at home, who normally create a lot of chances for themselves,” said Valverde.