The superb performance of Leo Messi, focussed on winning the Champions League again, must not let people forger the great defensive work shown by Valverde and his players. In the quarter-finals, Barca did not concede a single goal. In 10 matches played, they have only picked the ball out of their net six times.
Tottenham on three occasions, Inter, PSV and Lyon are the teams who have been able to breach the Catalans' defence. The team is just one step away from the big final at the Wanda Metropolitano. Porto or Liverpool, with a clear advantage for Klopp's men, will be the last hurdle for Messi and his side before the final in Madrid.
Ter Stegen has a lot to do with this enormous defensive effort, who is having his best season in net since he arrived at Barcelona. The German, in the second leg against United, did not intervene much, but he was perfect when he did. Almost at the end, the German made a fabulous save to prevent a shot which was just sneaking in the corner.
In fact, only Tottenham (2-4) in London has scored on more than one occasion in the same game. It's a stat which does not assure anything, but that strengthens the group especially now we are in the knockout phase. Valverde has found his defence, in which Sergi Roberto and Semedo frequently switch roles.
The rest is fairly well known. Pique and Lenglet are the main men in defence despite Umtiti's recovery, who was far from his best in the matches he has played since his injury. Muscle and talent up front to be able to make the opponent feel inferior and that is when Messi displays his very best.