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Juventus 0-0 Barcelona: A draw which takes Catalans through as group winners

Valverde's side produced a resolute display to book their last 16 place

Messi was left on the bench but came on in the second half for Deulofeu

Una acción del partido entre la Juventus y el FC Barcelona. Busquets sale al paso ante Dybala / | sport
David Salinas

Barcelona advanced to the Champions League last 16 on Wednesday after clinching top spot in Group D following a 0-0 draw against Juventus in Turin.

Last season's finalists Juventus remain second in the group, a point ahead of third-place Sporting Lisbon, and can secure their qualification with victory at Olympiakos on December 5.

Ernesto Valverde took the surprise decision to leave Lionel Messi on the bench but his team were still able to extend their unbeaten run to 18 games in all competitions. 

Paulinho's two long-range efforts were as close as Barca came to scoring in the first half, while Marc-Andre ter Stegen made comfortable saves from Paulo Dybala and Douglas Costa. 

Messi, who was rested along with Jordi Alba, replaced Gerard Deulofeu in the 55th minute but could not prevent the game ending goalless. 

The Argentine came close from a free-kick, as did Luis Suarez's, whose effort from 25 yards was deflected just over Gianluigi Buffon's bar. 

Juve, who struggled to break Barca down thanks to Gerard Pique and Samuel Umtiti, almost nicked it in stoppage time, but ter Stegen saved from Dybala. 

 

Next up for Barcelona is Sunday's trip to second-placed Valencia in La Liga.