Robert Lewandowski failed to score for the sixth straight game, and Barcelona seldom carved out any clear chances in a shock 1-0 loss to Shaktar Donetsk in the Champions League. The Polish striker, Barca’s most obvious threat, was rendered anonymous by a dogged defence, as his side saw their hopes of getting out of their group delayed.
Marc-Andre ter Stegen was forced into a save early, denying a driven effort at his near post. He could do little about the game’s next big chance. Shaktar worked the ball down the right, before Giorgi Gocholeishvili whipped a ball into the area for Danylo Sikan. His finish was a wonderful one, the big striker falling away from goal yet still managing to divert a looping header into the far corner.
Barca created little else at the start of the second half, and could have easily conceded more, had Ter Stegen not provided two more handy stops.
And Blaugrana frustrations only multiplied throughout the half. Shaktar dropped deep, happy to sit on a 1-0 lead — a decision that proved prudent as Xavi’s side repeatedly failed to find space in a crowded final third. Lewandowski, the theoretical answer to such woes, barely had a kick as Barca failed to find a groove in a shock defeat.
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