Barcelona came away from the Juventus Stadium with what could only be considered a positive result given the circumstances, that sees them through to the next round while further complicating qualification for Allegri's men.
Juventus sought redemption in the Champion League after defeat to Sampdoria in domestic competition. More so, players such as Buffon or Barzagli attempted to put an end to a woeful fortnight for Italian football by overcoming Ernesto Valverde's unstoppable Barcelona, and things were made easier for the reigning Serie A champions when news emerged of star man Lionel Messi starting on the bench.
The likes of Paulinho or Deulofeu were expected to fill the void left by the Argentine hotshot as Juventus surged out in search of an early lead. Encouraged by a riveting atmosphere inside the stadium, the 'Vecchia Signora' seemed determined to end a disappointing spell in great fashion, and inside two minutes, Douglas Costa had already tested Ter Stegen from inside the area.
However, Barcelona remained patient despite the hugely intense start to the game: Valverde's men were only in need of a point to progress to the next round, while the Italians were compelled to put an end to Barca's 17-game unbeaten run to aspire to a place in the last 16.
When Barcelona feel threatened, they do what they know best. The Catalans got a hold of the ball to take sting out of the fixture, with Andres Iniesta roaming around looking to get on the ball and Paulinho proving a menace with a couple of shots from distance. Barcelona read the game perfectly and smothered the hosts' efforts to play from the back with a well-organised high line of pressure.
As both sides fought for control in Turin, Ivan Rakitic came closest to breaking the deadlock when he hit Buffon's left post. The Croat's cross from a free-kick missed everyone in the six-yard box and bounced off the upright before Paulinho attempted to steer it home. The Brazilian's enthusiasm did not go unnoticed, and was somewhat overly eager just moments later when the referee brandished his yellow card for simulation in Juve's area.
Dybala had one final chance when he fired over the bar from 12 yards, before an absorbing first half came to an end with little action in the penalty areas. Spirits were high at the away end after the break as Messi began warming up on the touchline.
Messi comes off the bench
Barcelona were well and truly in control when the second half got underway. With the advantage of knowing the hosts were the ones in need of a winner to keep their Chamions League hopes alive, the Catalans knocked the ball around calmly to further frustrate the Serie A outfit.
Luis Suarez tried to curl a free-kick into the top corner but it was deflected inches over the bar and Barcelona piled pressure with a couple of corners. The travelling supporters called for Messi and Valverde indulged their requests with over thirty minutes to go on the clock.
The Argentine's impact was undeniable. The tactical battle could not restrain Messi and the game instantly came to life. His free-kick ruffled the roof of the net and then he released Lucas Digne down the left channel, but the French defender made a weak attempt to square the ball for Suarez instead of shooting when he was through on goal.
Towards the final minutes, it all went a touch scrappy as both sides began to look for a more conservative approach. When it looked like the game was slowly dying down and heading towards a draw, Juventus went for one last surge forward in stoppage time. Dybala curled a first-time shot from the edge of the area which was creeping into the bottom corner before Ter Stegen stretched to deny the Argentine and secure a place in the last sixteen.