Barcelona’s hopes of qualifying for the Champions League last 16 go back to the day of the final Group E match after an entertaining 0-0 draw against Benfica on Tuesday.
As Xavi Hernandez commanded his second game since replacing Ronald Koeman at the Barca dugout, Catalan side showed a world apart from the sorry outfit in their 3-0 loss to Benfica in Lisbon in September.
A win would have earned Barca qualification with Bayern Munich, which they now have to beat on 8 December, if Benfica comes down to pursue Dynamo Kiev.
Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo, who was denied a late try, told uefa.com: “We played exactly what the boss told us, specifically to raise the pitch. We only had There was a lack of important targets.”
In the torrential downpour, the Xavi-spirited hosts were dripping with new intensity and speed.
Only Woodwork denied teenager Yusuf Demir late in the first half.
The winger, on loan from Rapid Vienna, swung a shot from inside the penalty area, but not the crossbar, to defeat Odysseus Vlachodimos.
Number Marc-Andre ter Stegen’s quick reflex opposite the Greek keeper rejected Roman Yaremchuk’s close-range header 10 minutes earlier.
Braving a chilly evening in Catalonia in front of nearly 50,000 fans, Barca emerged in a dominant mood for a second period, but Benfica persevered.
Portuguese spectators coach Jorge Jesus refreshed his team in time, with Darwin Nez coming in for Yaremchuk and Adele Tarbutt for Joo Mario.
Xavi then introduced Ousmane Dembele to French World Cup winner Demir, injecting some late momentum.
Frankie de Jong’s header on 68 minutes had ‘opening goal’ written on it, only for Vlachodimos to tip the ball over the bar.
With the clock ticking, Araujo thought he had delivered the decisive moment but his attempt was called off seven minutes ahead of time.
Four minutes of injury time proved no place for the disappointed, as both sides went all out for the winner.
And Benfica was the one who almost got it, Jesus fell to his knees after watching Haris Seferovic fluff, only to have a great chance of defeating Ter Stegen.
Anyway, the stalemate has left Barca in second place with seven points, two ahead of Benfica, and their Champions League fortunes resting on a result in Munich in two weeks’ time.
read all breaking news, breaking news And coronavirus news Here. follow us on Facebook, Twitter And Wire,
,