Valverde praises Ter Stegen as Barça reach Champions League round-of-16

Ernesto Valverde spoke to the media after Barcelona's goalless draw at Juventus on Wednesday. It was a draw which guaranteed his side's place in the last 16 as group winners. 

However, he was also asked about the decision to leave Lionel Messi on the bench and about the sad news that Sevilla manager Eduardo Berizzo has been diagnosed with cancer. 

Valverde said he felt good to go through as group winners, something he's never managed before in his career. 

"We came with the intention of winning the game," he said. "We played with a lot of personality because Juve press a lot here. There were lots of moments in the game which we dominated, but at the end they could have won it with Dybala. Until then, we'd controlled the game and we're happy to finish top, which is what we wanted."

On leaving Messi out, he said the Argentine is "fine. He has played a lot of games and eventually, he had to have a to rest. We thought it would be a tight game and then it would open up. The idea was he could come on in the second half, with the game more open."

There was also praise for Marc-Andre ter Stegen: "He is in a great moment of form, although the plan is for him to not have to make many saves. He didn't have a lot to do toady but, yes, he was there to make a decisive save [from Paulo Dybala]. If they'd scored then, they'd have won the game." 

Finally, on Berizzo, Valverde said: "I want to send a gesture of support to Eduardo Berizzo. He's a manager I have a good rapport with. I speak with and have spoke with him a lot. I send him all my stength. The whole club is behind him. It's bad news, but we know that we will all be supporting him. We all love football and we are passionate about it but at times we forget there are more important things."