An own goal from Sebastian Coates sealed a 0-1 victory for an otherwise struggling Barcelona side against a resilient Sporting Lisbon.
Sporting put up a solid display to restrict Barcelona for major parts of last night’s match but an own goal Sebastian Coates saw all their efforts go to vain after half time. The hosts could not clear a Messi free kick which came from the right, as a result of which, the ball bounced off Luis Suarez onto Coates.
The player was simply in the right place at the wrong time, as the ball trickled into the net for the only goal of the night. Unlike what many expected, Lionel Messi failed to score his 100th European goal. The player did not lack for chances though – he had several opportunities in the first-half but none of them connected.
With about 20 minutes left on the clock, Sporting were narrowly close to an equalizer as Dost picked out Bruno Fernandes, but Barcelona keeper Ter Stegen was vigilant as ever, and made a quick block to deny him. THT takes a look at some of the best tweets about the match.
This team is surviving due to:
Stegen
Umtiti
Busquets
Messi
Luck (own goals)Away matches have all be horrendous.
— Lucas R. (@lucasammr) September 27, 2017
So Barcelona has been playing 12 players and FIFA can't even do anything, that Own Goal guy must be invincible pic.twitter.com/31ZFfFm6Wp
— IFEDAYO (@KingIfedayo) September 27, 2017
?? @FCBarcelona in 2017/18 season
? @LaLigaEN
⚽️ 6 matches
✅ 6 wins
? @ChampionsLeague
⚽️ 2 matches
✅ 2 wins pic.twitter.com/aEPw9wyrRj— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) September 27, 2017
Samuel Umtiti vs. Sporting
Barcelona weren't at their best, but big Sam was. Growing into one of the best CBs.pic.twitter.com/g8QqdWIYdf
— EiF (@EiF_Highlights) September 28, 2017
Lionel Messi: Has failed to create a single goalscoring opportunity in Barcelona's first two Champions League group matches ? pic.twitter.com/IpIMtvWKMJ
— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) September 27, 2017
O.G is in great form for Barcelona. He, it, whatever has now scored 3 in last 2 games. He's scored 3 of their last 4 goals.
— Deji Faremi (@deejayfaremi) September 27, 2017
Umtiti immense for Barcelona tonight. Alba (especially) and Semedo also good. Busquets shielded the defence well and kept possession. Going forward? Not so much.
— Andy West (@andywest01) September 27, 2017
4 of Barcelona's 25 goals scored this season have been own goals #fcblive
— FC Barcelona Fl (@FCBarcelonaFl) September 27, 2017
Death, taxes and own goals for Barcelona.
— Roy Nemer (@RoyNemer) September 27, 2017
As I said a 100 times: it’s ridiculous how Rakitić still starts for Barcelona. Doesn’t have the quality, profile, intelligence or mentality.
— #14 (@LaCroqueta6) September 27, 2017
Dear FC Barcelona,
Don't Bring Back Sir Andre Gomes When You Return From Portugal.#SportingBARÇA
— BarcelonaBoy (@iBarcelonaBoy) September 27, 2017
When Rakitic tries to pass to Messi but end up passing back to the defense pic.twitter.com/YWvLIEAU3b
— Julian (@ElaficionadoFC) September 27, 2017
While several users remained divided on their opinion of Barcelona’s defence, they all agreed that the attack was in shambles, to say the least.
Messi with another disaster class. But he isn't Ronaldo so nobody gonna mention it.
— King CR7 (@GOATnaldo) September 27, 2017
Messi stats v Sporting tonight:
0 goals
0 assists
4 dribbles
6 times dispossessed
4-1 Balon D’or lead bottled lmao I’m crying bruh pic.twitter.com/GwxtaKh2GV— adam (@MrFutboy) September 27, 2017
Messi is unbelievable.
Imagine if he didn't have to play with bad players all the time.— Jimmy (@FCBJimmy_) September 27, 2017
Has to be said but Messi suffers when Suarez plays. Doesn't play as a false 9, and instead drops deep or is forced out wide often.
— Veron (@MesmericMessi) September 27, 2017
The more Barça been focusing on midfield and going away from Lucho's football, the poorer Suarez and Rakitic been. No coincidence.
— Cruijffista (@LaComputadora14) September 27, 2017
Suarez is going through a horrible form, yes.
But Valverde’s tactics do not help anyone, not even Messi.
Still, why no Denis?!
— Lucas R. (@lucasammr) September 27, 2017
We need Denis in ,raki out
Paulinho in , Suarez out
And messi as CF— ⚽™ (@culezitic) September 27, 2017
Funny that the only thing Suárez seems to execute well is his dummies. Ironically, he doesn’t need to touch the ball for that.
— #14 (@LaCroqueta6) September 27, 2017
So far this is like the entire season so far. Alba good. Umtiti great. Semedo great. Pique crap. Suarez disaster. Leo can see John Cena
— Ahmad (@ahmadf_o) September 27, 2017
Suárez has been horrible this season. Not even horrible by his standards or anything like that. Just objectively horrible.
— Sameer (@Sameer_R13) September 27, 2017
Meanwhile, Rakitic was the recipient of a lot of negative comments from frustrated fans for his lack of impact on the field.
I TOLD Y'ALL WE SHOULD SELL RAKITIC BACK IN JUNE BUT ALL ALL UNFOLLOWED ME AND TOLD ME I WASN'T A REAL CULE LMAOOO
— ~ (@UltraAutistic) September 27, 2017
When Rakitic dies pic.twitter.com/yOGpecG05M
— E (@E_MMertens) September 27, 2017
Sergi Roberto is brillant it’s shame he used as a right back when he’s a better mid than Rakitic by far
— Julian (@ElaficionadoFC) September 27, 2017
Valverde must find a solution to Suarez & Rakitic poor performances, they cant keep getting a free pass due to their past. Improve or bench.
— El Máestro (@ElMaestrofcb) September 27, 2017
Rakitic can’t start for Barcelona anymore, it’s been the case for over a year…
— Rafael Hernández (@RafaelH117) September 27, 2017
Barca are too balanced to have Rakitic as an undisputed starter. I predicted this. He's limited, rigid, slow, conservative, cautious.
— Muy de Laportismo (@MoRosement) September 27, 2017
I'm not disappointed in Rakitic, causw this is exactly what I expect from him. Why he starts is beyond me when Aleña/Denis would be better.
— Cruijffista (@LaComputadora14) September 27, 2017
Rakitic was so so disappointing and can't have his starting spot anymore. His position needs to be contested between Paulinho and Roberto.
— Mujtaba (@MujtaBATMAN) September 27, 2017
When will people stop using Rakitić's goal in CL final to defend him? Stop being obsessed with moments and analyze players on a weekly basis
— Josip (@jperkovic93) September 27, 2017
