The ManicaPost
Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde says Lionel Messi’s place on the bench against Juventus was in order to give the striker some much-needed rest.
The Argentina international was only introduced after half-time of Wednesday’s UEFA Champions League clash against Juventus but was unable to inspire Barca to victory as the match finished goalless.
And Valverde, speaking via Barcelona’s official Twitter account, said: “Leaving Messi out was difficult.
“But he has played a lot this season and today we saw a long and tough contest, so we thought a rest would do him good.”
The result left the Catalan giants still top of Group D and assured of their place in the last-16, although Juventus head into the final round of group-stage fixtures, against Olympiakos, needing to match the result between Barca and third-placed Sporting. – DAIKLY MAIL SPORT
