Barcelona: Messi and Iniesta get standing ovation in away Juventus clash

Lorenzo Bettoni, reporter at the Allianz Stadium
23 nov 2017

It doesn’t happen every day to see players like Andres Iniesta and Lionel Messi play in your stadium and although Juventus and Barcelona have already faced each other four times in the space six months, the age of both Barcelona stars suggest yesterday night have been one of the last times Juventus fans had a chance to admire them play in their stadium.

Lionel Messi did surprisingly start from the bench yesterday night but Ernesto Valverde decided to play the Argentinean right before the hour mark, replacing an unrecognizable Gerard Deulofeu. The Spaniard, a former AC Milan player, was booed by his ex 'opponents' but when Messi entered the pitch, most of Juve fans stood up to give him a standing ovation.

The same happened a few minutes later when Andres Iniesta left the pitch to be replaced by Jordi Alba. Yet again, the bianconeri fans showed their respect and appreciation for the Spaniard giving the Barcelona ace another – and even more overwhelming – standing ovation.