Lyon 0-0 Barcelona: Goalscoring woes continue for Ernesto Valverde’s men with Champions League stalemate

Lyon 0-0 Barcelona: Goalscoring woes continue for Ernesto Valverde’s men with Champions League stalemate
Barcelona’s bad run in front of goal continued into their Champions League form after they could only manage a 0-0 draw at Lyon in the first leg of their last-16 tie.Ernesto Valverde’s men, who are usually so ruthless in front of goal, went into the game having drawn three in a row before scraping a 1-0 win over Real Valladolid at the weekend, scoring just four goals across the four games.3

Lionel Messi wasn’t his usual prolific self in front of goal

Three of those came from Lionel Messi, including two penalties, but the Argentina star was unable to add to his tally against a stubborn Lyon side who were without their suspended captain and top scorer Nabil Fekir.The visitors could have opened the scoring in the first minute when Ousmane Dembele found himself in space on the left-hand side of the penalty area, but the 21-year-old flashed a half-volley wide of the post.And just two minutes later Lyon’s fans must have feared the worst when Houssem Aouar brought down Messi just outside the area, only for Messi to uncharacteristically fire the free-kick harmlessly over the bar. Aouar, who was shown a yellow card for the foul, then drew a good save from Marc-Andre ter Stegen at the other end before the Barcelona goalkeeper produced an even better one to tip Martin Terrier’s swerving free-kick onto the bar before gratefully gathering the rebound.An end-to-end contest was producing plenty of chances and Ivan Rakitic curled a shot wide after being set up by Sergi Roberto, while Messi was also off target following a delightful one-two with Jordi Alba.Lyon looked dangerous on the counter-attack and almost broke the deadlock in the 52nd minute when Memphis Depay flashed a half-volley just wide, while at the other end Messi’s shot was parried by Lyon goalkeeper Anthony Lopes.3

Depay came closest for the hosts

Barcelona boss Valverde replaced Dembele with Philippe Coutinho as his side sought a first away win in the knockout stages since 2016, but Luis Suarez was inches away from connecting with a ball that was fizzed across goal and Lopes was again equal to a shot from Messi.Messi’s night was summed up as he twice fired shots into Lyon’s defensive wall from a last-minute free-kick and the home side deservedly held on to keep a clean sheet and leave the tie in the balance.3

Suarez also came close for Barca

---

Manchester City vs Watford: Team news and line-ups. Manchester City midfielder Fernandinho is hoping to prove his fitness to face Watford in Saturday's FA Cup final at Wembley. The Brazilian, who missed the final three games of the champions' Premier League title run-in with a knee injury, returned to training this week.
Manchester City vs Watford live on talkSPORT: Exclusive

---

Premier League title winner predicted: talkSPORT assesses Liverpool and Manchester City's run-ins Wednesday, 13 March 2019 Neither Manchester City nor Liverpool flinched at the weekend in the battle to win the Premier League title.
Manchester City FC | Official Website, Latest News, Players

---

On 26 June 2014, Hendrick agreed a new four-year contract with Derby, which would keep him at the club until the end of the 2017-18 season. The 2014-15 season was his most fruitful to date in terms of goalscoring as he netted a total of nine goals in 47 matches in all competitions.
Live Coverage: Premier League final day - as it happened

---

Crystal Palace midfielder Jairo Riedewald is a target for Spanish side Celta Vigo. The 22-year-old, who was signed by Frank de Boer for £7.9m, has also had interest from Middlesbrough.
Celtic beating Fenerbahce to sign this ball-playing 22-year

---

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp deserves ban for running on to

---

Tottenham striker Harry Kane has insisted he is fit and 'ready to go' for the Champions League final after recovering from an ankle injury. The England captain has been in a race to be fit for
Tottenham's Harry Kane healthy for Champions League final

---

Chelsea defender Cesar Azpilicueta has signed a contract extension which will keep him at the club until 2022. The Spain international moved to Stamford Bridge in 2012 and has captained the side
Cesar Azpilicueta signs new four-year contract at Chelsea

---

Christian Pulisic has become the eighth-most expensive player in Premier League history after completing his £57.7million move to Chelsea. The 20-year-old, who will stay at Borussia Dortmund on loan until the end of the season, is Chelsea's third-biggest signing of all-time.
Christian Pulisic is now the eighth biggest Premier League

---

Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino believes his side 'deserved a draw' in their defeat to Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium. Pochettino's men were unable to inflict Premier League heartache on the Citizens after knocking them out of the Champions League on Wednesday, with Pep Guardiola's men winning 1-0 on Saturday.
Manchester City 1-0 Tottenham: Mauricio Pochettino believes

---

Keith Hill has been sacked as manager of Rochdale, the League One club have confirmed. Hill was in his second spell in charge at Spotland, taking over again in 2013 having previously managed the
Keith Hill: Rochdale sack manager after six years in charge

---

GRINNERS 'N LOSERS Rio Ferdinand: Man Utd vs Chelsea final was most intense game of my career… I expect Liverpool to deal with it best and win Champions League
Liverpool are 'playing with a handbrake' on in the big games

---