Olympiakos 0-0 Barcelona: Catalans held in Champions League as Ernesta Valverde draws blank on return
Barcelona failed to score in a Champions League group stage game for the first time in five years as Olympiacos held them to a goalless draw.
Victory in Greece would have booked Barca's passage to the knock-out phase but the three points proved elusive on a night when Luis Suarez hitting the top of the crossbar was as close as the visitors came.
The last time they could not find the net in a group-stage fixture was against Benfica in December 2012, when their qualification had already been assured, but Juventus' draw with Sporting Lisbon on Tuesday night means Barca at least remain three points clear at the top of Group D.
This was Barca boss Ernesto Valverde's return to a club he led to three league titles and two domestic cups during two spells, and the Olympiacos fans showed their appreciation pre-match with a banner near the halfway line that read, 'Ernesto, thanks for everything'.
Here is how the night unfolded, plus more stats than you can poke a stick at.
5 talking points
1. No frills Barca will still get the job done
Other than a 3-0 revenge rout of Juventus on matchday one, Barca haven’t always been at their sparkling best on Champions League duty.
But it is hard to argue with a record of 10 points from four games and just one goal conceded.
Only a point is required from their last two games against Juventus and Sporting Lisbon to guarantee Barca’s place in the last 16, whilst a win in Turin will also secure top spot.
2. Little more than Messi
Barca’s blistering start to the season has been built on defensive solidity and Messi magic.
However, this was an eye-opening example of how little there is in terms of craft and clinical finishing if the Argentine has a very rare off night.
Suarez looks far from fit and tried to tee up his best mate instead of going for goal himself as a confident striker would on the hour mark.
Meanwhile, Denis Suarez and Gerard Deulofeu also did little to further their case for more game time.
3. Valverde love in
Victory in Greece would have booked Barca's passage to the knock-out phase but the three points proved elusive on a night when Luis Suarez hitting the top of the crossbar was as close as the visitors came.
The last time they could not find the net in a group-stage fixture was against Benfica in December 2012, when their qualification had already been assured, but Juventus' draw with Sporting Lisbon on Tuesday night means Barca at least remain three points clear at the top of Group D.
This was Barca boss Ernesto Valverde's return to a club he led to three league titles and two domestic cups during two spells, and the Olympiacos fans showed their appreciation pre-match with a banner near the halfway line that read, 'Ernesto, thanks for everything'.
Here is how the night unfolded, plus more stats than you can poke a stick at.
5 talking points
1. No frills Barca will still get the job done
Other than a 3-0 revenge rout of Juventus on matchday one, Barca haven’t always been at their sparkling best on Champions League duty.
But it is hard to argue with a record of 10 points from four games and just one goal conceded.
Only a point is required from their last two games against Juventus and Sporting Lisbon to guarantee Barca’s place in the last 16, whilst a win in Turin will also secure top spot.
2. Little more than Messi
Barca’s blistering start to the season has been built on defensive solidity and Messi magic.
However, this was an eye-opening example of how little there is in terms of craft and clinical finishing if the Argentine has a very rare off night.
Suarez looks far from fit and tried to tee up his best mate instead of going for goal himself as a confident striker would on the hour mark.
Meanwhile, Denis Suarez and Gerard Deulofeu also did little to further their case for more game time.
3. Valverde love in
Valverde was greeted like a hero on his return to Athens where he won three league titles in two spells as coach.
The Barca boss was gifted a plaque in his honour and a giant “Ernesto, thank you for everything” tifo revealed before kick-off.
Valverde was also lauded as he returned to Bilbao at the weekend and Barca fans and quickly learning why the softly-spoken 53-year-old is so loved after a blistering start.
4. A Barca built from the back
Messi’s brilliance aside, Valverde inherited a side shorn on Neymar, quickly lost record signing Ousmane Dembele to injury and has had to persist with an out of sorts Luis Suarez in attack.
His Barca, though, is one built on much more solid foundations than any other in the past decade.
Another clean sheet means the Catalans have conceded just four times in their last 15 games.
5. Olympiakos salvage some pride
Pointless and pretty clueless through three games in this group, Olympiakos finally put up a performance worthy of their fanatical fanbase.
It wasn’t often pretty as the Greek champions relied of Proto, a series of brave blocks by captain Alberto Botia and an off night from Barcelona.
But they did enough to ensure they won’t be wooden spooned.
Barcelona Player Ratings
James Tighe rates the Barcelona players’ performances - and it doesn’t make fun reading for those in the attacking third.
Ter Stegen 6
One minor mix-up could have been costly, but otherwise rarely tested on way to another clean sheet
Semedo 7
Deserves a run in the side at right-back, which he may well now get in Sergi Roberto’s absence through injury
Mascherano 6
Looked slightly rusty having been rushed back from a fever so keen was Valverde not to field Thomas Vermaelen.
Umtiti 7
One brilliant early interception demonstrated why he has the technique, timing and power to go onto be one of the best centre-backs in the world.
Alba 7
A rare attacking glimmer of light as he charged up and down the left wing to constantly give Messi options.
Busquets 7
Protected his back four as ever with great positioning and poise on the ball.
Paulinho 4
Has silenced the critics early in his Barca career, but this was more like the Spurs Paulinho.
Sergi Roberto 4
Little chance to shine in his favoured midfield role as he limped off at half-time.
Denis Suarez 4
Only his second Champions League start and on this evidence it might be a while before he is handed another one.
Messi 5
Wasteful in front of goal, but still Barca’s biggest threat by a distance.
Luis Suarez 5
Full of fight but at the moment very little quality
Substitutes
Deulofeu (Sergi Roberto 45) 5
Spread the pitch to offer more width, but lacked end product.
Rakitic (Paulinho 62) 5
More involved in build-up than Paulinho but also lacking a killer pass.
Andre Gomes 4 (Denis Suarez 75)
Rinse and repeat. Quite simply not a Barcelona player.
21:38
That's all for our live coverage, thanks for following along. Goodbye!
The Barca boss was gifted a plaque in his honour and a giant “Ernesto, thank you for everything” tifo revealed before kick-off.
Valverde was also lauded as he returned to Bilbao at the weekend and Barca fans and quickly learning why the softly-spoken 53-year-old is so loved after a blistering start.
4. A Barca built from the back
Messi’s brilliance aside, Valverde inherited a side shorn on Neymar, quickly lost record signing Ousmane Dembele to injury and has had to persist with an out of sorts Luis Suarez in attack.
His Barca, though, is one built on much more solid foundations than any other in the past decade.
Another clean sheet means the Catalans have conceded just four times in their last 15 games.
5. Olympiakos salvage some pride
Pointless and pretty clueless through three games in this group, Olympiakos finally put up a performance worthy of their fanatical fanbase.
It wasn’t often pretty as the Greek champions relied of Proto, a series of brave blocks by captain Alberto Botia and an off night from Barcelona.
But they did enough to ensure they won’t be wooden spooned.
Barcelona Player Ratings
James Tighe rates the Barcelona players’ performances - and it doesn’t make fun reading for those in the attacking third.
Ter Stegen 6
One minor mix-up could have been costly, but otherwise rarely tested on way to another clean sheet
Semedo 7
Deserves a run in the side at right-back, which he may well now get in Sergi Roberto’s absence through injury
Mascherano 6
Looked slightly rusty having been rushed back from a fever so keen was Valverde not to field Thomas Vermaelen.
Umtiti 7
One brilliant early interception demonstrated why he has the technique, timing and power to go onto be one of the best centre-backs in the world.
Alba 7
A rare attacking glimmer of light as he charged up and down the left wing to constantly give Messi options.
Busquets 7
Protected his back four as ever with great positioning and poise on the ball.
Paulinho 4
Has silenced the critics early in his Barca career, but this was more like the Spurs Paulinho.
Sergi Roberto 4
Little chance to shine in his favoured midfield role as he limped off at half-time.
Denis Suarez 4
Only his second Champions League start and on this evidence it might be a while before he is handed another one.
Messi 5
Wasteful in front of goal, but still Barca’s biggest threat by a distance.
Luis Suarez 5
Full of fight but at the moment very little quality
Substitutes
Deulofeu (Sergi Roberto 45) 5
Spread the pitch to offer more width, but lacked end product.
Rakitic (Paulinho 62) 5
More involved in build-up than Paulinho but also lacking a killer pass.
Andre Gomes 4 (Denis Suarez 75)
Rinse and repeat. Quite simply not a Barcelona player.
21:38
That's all for our live coverage, thanks for following along. Goodbye!
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