Turin (Italy), Oct 29 (AP):
Barcelona played some of its best soccer in a while to win 2-0 at Juventus in a Champions League match that offered plenty of entertainment even though the absence of Cristiano Ronaldo prevented a highly anticipated duel against Lionel Messi.
Ronaldo was out for the game, more than two weeks after the Juventus forward initially tested positive for the coronavirus. lvaro Morata, who scored twice against Dynamo last week, again replaced Ronaldo but frustratingly had three goals ruled out for offside.
Messi converted a late penalty for Barcelona after Ousmane Demb l had given the visitors the lead in the 14th minute to send Barcelona on its way to its first victory over Juventus in Turin.
I believe it was the most complete match since I arrived, Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman said.
I think the team showed a lot of personality in midfield, it was our best game.
We had a great game against a great team. I think we showed our best soccer. We created a lot of scoring opportunities. I’m very happy with the play, I’m very happy with the character of the team, a great victory.”
Barcelona took the sole lead of Group G, three points above Juventus. Dynamo Kyiv and Ferencv ros have one point each after drawing 2-2 on Wednesday.
Barcelona has been in turmoil this week after losing the cl sico 3-1 at home to Real Madrid last weekend, while club president Josep Maria Bartomeu and his entire board resigned on Tuesday.
Today the team showed that it wasn’t affected by yesterday’s news, Koeman said.
I can’t say it surprised me. President Bartomeu took this decision for the good of the club. The scoreline could have been worse for Juventus if the visitors had been more clinical with their chances.
Juventus threatened little. But, apart from Ronaldo, it was also missing Giorgio Chiellini, Matthijs de Ligt and Alex Sandro and Bianconeri coach Andrea Pirlo said that their asbences and the lack of experience in his squad was to blame for the defeat.
