CAIRO, Feb.20 (SEE)- Barcelona and Olympique Lyonnais stalemated with neither side succeeding in scoring any goals in their Champions League last-16 first leg on Tuesday as both sides remained undefeated in this season’s competition.
Lyon were without captain Nabil Fekir for the first leg, with the 25-year-old missing out through suspension. The Frenchman has 11 goals in all competitions this season and his absence was a big blow for the hosts.
Key midfielder Tanguy Ndombele had been struggling with an ankle problem ahead of the match, but he was fit to start, while defenders Jason Denayer and Marcelo both overcame knocks to make the starting XI.
As for Barcelona, Thomas Vermaelen was unavailable after picking up a calf problem against Real Valladolid at the weekend, with the Belgian joining Rafinha, Jasper Cillessen and Arthur on the sidelines.
Samuel Umtiti made the bench against his former club, though, having recovered from a knee problem. Luis Suarez, Ivan Rakitic, Nelson Semedo and Clement Lenglet all returned, but Philippe Coutinho was left on the bench once again with Ousmane Dembele starting alongside Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi in the final third.
The match was not as many expect, Barcelona started the match strong, but Lyon soon recovered just 5 minutes before extra time. The second half proved to be back and fourth with neither side able to score.
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