Thursday, April 20, 2017

Luis Enrique left to bemoan Barcelona's woeful first-half display at Juventus

Barcelona manager Luis Enrique could end his final season trophyless
Barcelona manager Luis Enrique could end his final season trophyless

Barcelona manager Luis Enrique admits he will struggle to forget their first-half performance against Juventus in the Champions League semi-final first leg.

Paulo Dybala's double and a Giorgio Chiellini header in Turin left Barca __with a near-impossible task and despite firing plenty of shots at Gianluigi Buffon's goal at the Nou Camp on Wednesday, the second leg ended goalless.

"I will remember what happened in the first half in the Juventus Stadium for a very long time," Luis Enrique told reporters.

"Our participation in this tournament this season has been unforgettable but we had a very poor first half in Turin and that has cost us dear.

"We tried __with all our might, but we couldn't find the route to goal. We played a very poor first half in Turin and that has cost us dearly."

Gianluigi Buffon celebrates the goalless draw at the Nou Camp
Gianluigi Buffon celebrates the goalless draw at the Nou Camp

Barca rattled up 19 shots at goal on Wednesday but only managed to test Buffon once as talisman Lionel Messi sent four shots off target.

Neymar, Andres Iniesta and Sergi Roberto hurried attempts to beat the experienced Italian goalkeeper which proved futile.

"We needed to be more calm and more lucid. We tried to do everything," added Luis Enrique, who will leave the club at the end of the season after three years in charge.

Lionel Messi battles for the ball   Sami Khedira
Lionel Messi battles for the ball with Sami Khedira

"We had a lot of shots on goal but only had one on target. We had a great attitude and made a huge effort so it's a shame," he added.

"We leave this game feeling sad but we can't blame anyone. We tried everything until the end and kept fighting to create chances but none of them went in.

"I'm annoyed we couldn't win the game because we tried with all our strength but we couldn't find the path to their goal."