Well, it wasn't the best of games, but the second half was miles better than the first. I wonder what Sporting's gameplan was, though. They rarely pushed men forward and were punished for lapses in concentration at the back. Barca gave a few players a rest but still have issues to solve in terms of their squad depth and dependency on Messi and Iniesta. They finish as group leaders! Sporting will play in the Europa League.
This is Amit Mishra signing off, until next time, lads and lasses. See you when I see you.
Not a lot he could do. Denis made a darting run on the left and his cross into the penalty area was too good to defend. Mathieu tried to clear, but could only deflect it into his own net. So unfortunate. A return to Camp Nou and an own goal.
90' Dear me, LIONEL. A stunning pass to find Alcacer down the middle, but the Spaniard just can't find the net. Nothing comes off the corner as Barca are back in possession.
89' Ooooh. Sporting nearly prove me wrong. Fernandez deftly lifts a pass for Dost, but he isn't tall enough to head it home as Cillessen collects safely.
87' Barca haven't lost to a Portuguese side in the remodeled UCL and it doesn't look like that's gonna change. The away side have been so toothless over the course of the 90 minutes.
86' A spell of possession by Barca nearly ends with a chance. Messi did well to pierce the defence with a through pass for Semedo, but the latter's pass to Paulinho is cut out.
83' Bas Dost with another chance! Sporting break from the Barca corner and Coentrao puts in a good cross to the far post from the left, but Dost's technique lets him down and he smashes the ball into the ground. It flies above the bar. Tough chance that, to strike it on the volley.
82' MESSI WITH A CHANCE! Typically, gets the ball, shifts to that magical left foot, and tries to finesse one into the far post, but Patricio gets a strong hand and palms it away. Corner.
80' Sporting just haven't been able to test the Barca defend well enough, Most of the chance have come from the wide areas, but the delivery, barring one chance for Dost, has been awful. Barca in possession.
76' Barca's domination has grown after the goal, they're seeing a lot more of the ball. It's a bit strange that Sporting, at 1-0 down, are looking at damage limitation! The pressing is non-existent.
74' Messi nearly scores! Andre Gomes' pass was a decent one after he received the ball from Suarez on the right. In the end, Messi's shot was a bit wild.
72' Still keep thinking of that Dost chance. Unreal save from Cillessen. Had Sporting been level that quick, the game could have been different (I shouldn't be presuming so much from such a dire game, though).
70' Sporting need to attack, but the presence of Messi has shackled their midfield impetus. They can't let him out of their sights as he is dropping deep to create. The tempo of the game hasn't changed all that much.
68' Gelson has seen very little of the ball on the right and Barca have done well to cut the service to him. He is able to get the ball this time, but Barca crowd him out again.
66' Barca nearly double their lead! Messi makes a darting run but his pass is just about intercepted by Carvalho. Suarez had made a good run on the left there, could have been one v one.
63' WHAT A SAVE BY CILLESSEN! From point blank range, all Dost had to do was tap it in, but Cillessen's positioning was spot on! What a cross that was from Fernandez though.
Barca scoring through a corner? Wow, that was unexpected! The delivery from Denis was precise and Alcacer was present at the near post to guide the ball in. Good goal.
55' Carvalho tries to press Rakitic but gives away a freekick. A foul, but at least Sporting are slightly up the pitch now. They had as many as 5 players in the Barca half there.
53' Gelson with his first real move of the game! A nice control on the chest and a burst forward, but he can't place his shot. Get the ball to him, if you want to win, Sporting.
52' Suarez is again cutting a frustrated figure in the middle. His cross for Vidal is easily collected by Patricio. A sign of things to come in the second half?
50' It opened up for Vidal there! A free-flowing Barca move that nearly paid dividends. Suarez finds Vidal on the right and the latter's shot is deflected for a corner.
46' Barca get a freekick early on, but it's Sporting in possession now. Jesus' side will be more competitive in the second half, they just have to. They're playing for qualification after all. The 0-0 scoreline will suit them the longer the game goes as they can edge it late on.
Peeeeeeeeeep! Full time! Er, no, halftime. Jeez, there's one more half of this god-awful, slow-tempo game left? Please, don't leave me alone with this. Do join me for the second half in about 15 minutes! Get some Red Bull, that should help.
44' The most intriguing phase of play just went by us and finished with Suarez slipping and giving the ball away. Jeez, he needs some luck now. Barca tiki-taka their way into the Sporting box but can't test Patricio.
42' Again, Barca pass it around in the Sporting but can't make headway. Possession with purpose is the best way I can put it. They don't have anyone to create, to be honest.
40' Semedo should be playing higher up the pitch. The lad is a bit more creative with his bag full of tricks on the right flank. Vidal has been pretty lacklustre with his deliveries.
36' Fernandez tests Cillessen from about 25 yards, Easy save. I don't really know what else to say, even though I have one job. The game has been that dire!
34' Barca have dominated possession but all their chance have come when Sporting are out of shape. So basically, they can't create a chance, starting from the attacking third. We could see a bit of Messi in the second half because this game is begging for a creative player.
32' Sporting keep the ball for a while but can't test Cillessen. Half a chance there as Cesar put in a good cross from the left. But Coates is too eager to win the header and fouls Pique in the process.
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