Not the results we expected at home but exactly the form we expected by a team under Xavi on his first UCL as a boss of the Catalans. We were held to a goalless draw by Benfica at Camp Nou but remain above the Portuguese side in group E. However we have to beat Bayern Munich in Germany in the final group game to be sure of making the next round. An herculean task I must say.

Barcelona endured a nervy first half of the match which saw Gavi waste the first clear opportunity; blazing over from close range instead of passing to Memphis Depay who was waiting at the middle for a tap-in. We dominated the first 30 minutes of the match before Benfica picked up and nearly took the lead in the 34th minute through Yaremchuks header but thanks to Ter Stegens quick reflex that saved us. Seconds later Nicolas Otamendi hit a tremendous shot into the back of the net but the linesman had spotted that the corner had gone out of play.

Just before the end of the first half we very nearly scored through Yusuf Demir's curling shot but the ball came back off the crossbar. A goalless break but we were the better side and were just lacking the goals. The second half started and Xavi's men picked up again with Frenkie DE Jongs header forcing Vlachodimos into a flying save. Seven minutes from time Ronald Araujo had the ball in the net after finishing a spectacular cross from Jordi Alba but the linesman spotted the Uruguayan had just strayed offside.

Barca clearly had the upper hand in terms of chances created and maintaining possession. The changes since Koeman left is quite obvious and there is a lot to believe in this system. In a three man defense Ronald Araujo showed he's a defensive titan. Yusuf Demir showed he's here to stay. Dembele also showed he's still got it in him.

So far the concern is a lack of quality in finishing. But there is a huge improvement in creating chances. There's no backing off at this stage, we'll have to throw everything we've got on Bayern Munich and hopefully we can get a win