Sporting Lisbon 0-1 Barcelona: 5 talking points - UEFA Champions League 2017/18

Barcelona recorded a narrow and unconvincing 1-0 win over Sporting Clube de Portugal in their UEFA Champions League Group D encounter at the Estadio Jose Alvalade, which helped the Camp Nou outfit remain at the top of their group with 6 points from two games.

Lionel Messi provided the telling cross which led to the goal, as Luis Suarez's header was deflected towards goal by Sebastian Coates, which Rui Patricio couldn't keep out. The win means that the Blaugrana have won both of their group stage clashes so far and are in pole position to qualify for the knockouts as the top placed team.

Here are the key talking points from Barcelona's lackluster win over the Portuguese powerhouse:

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#1 Ernesto Valverde's side do not shy away from winning ugly

Barcelona are considered as one of the best football clubs in the world and it is imperative that a club of that stature wins almost every game that it participates in, more so when you have arguably the greatest footballer of all time in your ranks.

However, after winning 8 out of their opening 8 games of the season, it appears that the biggest difference between Luis Enrique's Barcelona and Ernesto Valverde's Barcelona is that the latter is more adept at winning ugly and protecting slender leads.

It is not that the first 8 games have been a walk in the park for the Camp Nou outfit, who have also struggled with injuries, but the team has dug deep and found ways to churn out narrow wins, like the one against Portugal - something that was not associated with Enrique's side.

Is football, finally, getting more intolerant towards divers?

Seydou Doumbia was booked for diving

As soon as Seydou Doumbia fell, almost theatrically, having sprinted past Gerard Pique, the home side faithful inside the stadium were left in anticipation as they expected Sporting to be awarded a free-kick in a dangerous situation.

However, it soon became clear that the referee had blown his whistle against the home team, rather than the Spanish giants. The referee was prepared to book the Ivorian forward for 'diving' - a raging point of debate in footballing circles - as Doumbia struggled to get on his feet, having injured himself during the whole process.

When the 29-year-old eventually got to his feet, he was shown the yellow card, to his bemusement and was also substituted, soon after, as he was unable to shake off the injury he had picked up while diving.

New rules and laws have been implemented in various leagues across the world, to curb diving and it appears that finally, the efforts have started to pay dividends. While to eradicate such a menace will take much longer time and effort, it is a welcome change.

Where is the Luis Suarez of 2015/16?

Suarez is now a shadow of his former self

It was not long ago that Luis Suarez was considered as the best striker in the world and was mentioned in the same breath as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. If not for his rather controversial past, the Uruguayan was also favourites to earn a podium finish in the Ballon d'Or, having netted 59 goals for Barcelona in 53 appearances during the 2015/16 season, helping them win the treble.

However, as has been the case for the better part of this year, a shadow of the man - who was feared around the world - took to the pitch for Barcelona. The 30-year-old looks to be bereft of confidence and lacks the hunger that once set him apart from the rest of the elite strikers.

Maybe it has to do with age but then 30 is not that old an age for a striker who sorely doesn't rely on his pace. It could have to do with his fitness, as the forward has recently returned from a knee injury, which kept him out for close to a month. Whatever it is, Barcelona sure must hope that he bounces back from this rut and gets back to his best, or else, the Catalan giants will have to consider parting ways with their prized asset, for the betterment of the team.

#4 Sporting Lisbon are dark horses to qualify for the knockouts

Can Sporting cause an upset in Group D?

Sporting Lisbon did everything last night apart from scoring a goal past Marc Andre Ter Stegen. It was not that the home side created a host of chances but on another day they could have scored one or two with the chances that they did create.

Jorge Jesus' side have already secured a win in their opening game of the season against Olympiacos and sit at second place in the group ahead of Juventus. The Portuguese powerhouse are more than capable of causing an upset on their day, especially at home, and if they are able to hold Juventus in either of the clashes or cause an upset, then they might endanger the Turin outfit's passage to the knockouts of the tournament.

Lisbon may not have as many accomplished names as Juventus or Barcelona but they sure pack a punch and are worth dark horses to seal, or rather steal, a knockout berth in the elite European competition, potentially costing one of their more illustrious rivals.

#5 Has Neymar's departure helped balance Barcelona?

Is Neymar's departure a blessing in disguise?

When Neymar secured his shock world record €222m move to Paris Saint-Germain in August, many had predicted the end of Barcelona. The heavy two-legged defeat against Real Madrid in the Supercopa de Espana further fueled this notion.

However, Ernesto Valverde with ample support from Lionel Messi and company has been able to steady what looked like a sinking ship and it now appears that maybe losing Neymar helped Barcelona become a more balanced and complete outfit.

While the loss of the Brazilian has forced most, if not all, of the creative burden on the shoulders of Messi, it has helped the Camp Nou outfit add more balance to their game.

Earlier, with Messi and Neymar, Barcelona had two players who enjoyed complete creative freedom and had little to no responsibility of helping in the defensive aspects of the game. However, with Messi the only player being given complete freedom, Barcelona have more bodies to help them when they don't have the ball and this has helped them churn out results from situations, which they earlier faltered from.

While this is too early into the season and too soon after Neymar's departure but early signs are that it could be a blessing in disguise.