Lionel Messi scored another penalty but Barcelona goalkeeper, Marc-Andre Ter Stegen was spot-on in the nervy Champions League 2-1 win over Dynamo Kyiv on Wednesday
AllNews understands that Barcelona has been without the German shot-stopper due to an operation he undertook back in August.
Ter Stegen had to make a string of excellent stops at Camp Nou to save Barca from slipping up against a depleted Dynamo side, who were without nine first-team players after they tested positive for coronavirus.
READ ALSO: UEFA Champions League: Juventus vs Barcelona, Build-up, Line-Ups, Team Preview
Viktor Tsygankov gave Dynamo hope with 15 minutes left after Messi scored a penalty and Gerard Pique headed in but Ter Stegen's heroics ensured Barcelona held on for their third victory out of three in Group G.
Gerard Pique's goal makes it his 15th UCL goal for a defender in the competition.
? Gerard Pique has now scored career 15 @ChampionsLeague goals — tied for second all-time with @ivanhelguera1, and only behind @Oficial_RC3 (16). pic.twitter.com/ee2rhixQMs
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) November 4, 2020
Lionel Messi continues to complete milestone in every game he plays, as he completed his 150th match in the UEFA competition, scoring 121 goals in the process.
Another #Messi milestone! https://t.co/NuxbWGxllr
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) November 5, 2020
The Blaugrana has been at a 100 percent record so far in the Champions League, which included an impressive performance away at Juventus last week, has come in stark contrast to a troubling start to the season in La Liga.
A 1-1 draw away at Alaves on Saturday made it four league games without a win and leaves Barcelona sitting 12th in the table, eight points behind Real Madrid. though with 2 games at hand.
"In the Champions League we're fine, in the league we have to change but I'm convinced we will," said Pique. "The mood is better, there are new players, young players who are bringing dynamism to the group and the way we play."
Victory against Dynamo was all-important for morale and for Koeman, whose future is uncertain given a new president will take over in the next three months after the resignation of Josep Maria Bartomeu.
Yet there were no celebrations from the players at full-time and Koeman's face throughout was one of angst and frustration as Ter Stegen was repeatedly called upon.
❝He showed his qualities tonight.❞
— @RonaldKoeman, on the spectacular performance of @mterstegen1 pic.twitter.com/FwJat2TBTC— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) November 5, 2020
"We are happy because we won," said Koeman. "But we have to play better than we did today. We have to improve, above all without the ball, where we haven't played well."
Argentina 
France 
0 Comment(s)