FC Barcelona 0-0 Benfica

FC Barcelona	0-0	Benfica

(December 6, 2012)

The FC Barcelona is jammed against Benfica and dismisses the group stage with a draw at the Camp Nou (0-0). Leo Messi, who came in the second half, was removed on a stretcher, wounded in his left knee. Arsenal, Milan, Porto, Shakhtar and Galatasaray, potential rivals FC Barcelona team in the second round of the Champions League.

Which had to be the party of Leo Messi, to overtake the world record Müller, has become a bitter night for Barcelona because of the injury Triple Ballon. Secured the top spot, Tito Vilanova Messi was booked until the second half when entered and, somewhat later, had to retire with a knee injury, leaving in shock the Camp Nou. Pinto had an outstanding performance before the onset of Argentine neutralizing Benfica Rush finally eliminated from the Champions League. 

Among the new tactics of Barca's Adriano highlighted central Villa striker and four team players: Planas, Sergi Roberto, Rafinha and Tello. However, the input was a recognizable team. He dominated the ball, although a few yards behind than usual by the pressure ahead of Benfica. The Portuguese played ceding the initiative, hoping the backlash. As he has made in the 11th minute, a long career of Lima finished off with a shot when I had it all in favor to Pinto. 

The player himself has also arranged another good option soon after his head. Visitors, with large central, were a threat in the passing game. Possession was Barca, danger, unquestionably Lisbon. And the location of the game was mostly in Barcelona and the only ground local opportunity of the first half has been Tello, on 22 minutes, but has run into the goalie. 

The game was very open thanks to the daring of the two teams. The clearest, however, went back to Lima, with a shot that deflected off Pinto, has crushed the crossbar. Barca goalkeeper was again providential then saving the goal of John. Unlike the first, it was hard to steer the club meeting. 

The second half began with an exchange of blows. Nolito by Portuguese and Villa by Fc Barcelona have divided the offensive role. Barca looked a deeper and decanted to the left, the band Tello. The situation had improved to the interests Catalans. Growing intensity. It was a good time for the entry of Messi in the Camp Nou ecstasy (58 min). Benfica have responded to the changed landscape more aggressively. His impotence began to weigh them. 

It was played in Benfica field, Messi's influence was palpable. Both the coach Jorge Jesus has taken precautions with a double defensive turnaround (min 73). The presence of Piqué has also provided more consistency and output in defense. 

Precisely Messi Piqué has enabled a great deep ball and suffered bruising Argentine goalkeeper while he dribbled. It would still be able to finish (at the hands of Artur), but immediately fall on the lawn and should be removed on a stretcher. Silence of the Camp Nou, scared, has been the worst ending to a very complete group stage of the club. 

Team Line-ups:

FC Barcelona	Benfica
13.José Manuel Pinto	1.Artur
19.Martin Montoya	4.Luisão
5 Carles Puyol	14.Maxi Pereira
21.Adriano Correia(3.Gerard Piqué 66')	24.Ezequiel Garay
29.Carles Planas	25.Lorenzo Melgarejo
25.Alex Song	9.Nolito(8.Bruno Cesar 63')
11.Thiago Alcântara	15.Ola John
28.Sergi Roberto	21.Nemanja Matic
7.David Villa	89.André Gomes
30 Rafinha(10.Lionel Messi 58')	11.Lima(7.Óscar Cardozo 74')
37.Cristian Tello(27.Gerard Deulofeu 79')	19.Rodrigo(34.Andre Almeida 74')

Match Statistics:

FC Barcelona		Benfica
9(5)	Shots (On target)	17(7)
66%	Ball Possession	34%
4	Fouls	23
2	Corner Kicks	10
7	Offsides	3
7	Clean Sheets	5
2	Yellow Cards	4
0	Red Cards	0