Lyon vs Barcelona: Wasteful Luis Suarez lets Lyon off the hook in Champions League stalemate - five things we learned

The French side remain alive in the tie heading back to the Nou Camp for the second leg of the last 16 clash

Last time Lyon and Barcelona met in the knockouts, the Catalan side went on to win the Champions League.

Tonight they were held to a stalemate by a young Lyon side with a resolute defence, though their somewhat toothless attack denied them a precious lead.

Lyon’s first Champions League knockout match since 2012 is one they can take many positives from though.

But ultimately Barcelona remain firmly in the driving seat for the return fixture at the Nou Camp.

Here are five things we learned from the first-leg.

Suarez cannot break his UCL duck

Luis Suarez again could not find the net in the Champions League.

Chance after chance came his way but the Uruguayan mercifully left Lyon unpunished. On 70 minutes, Suarez missed the best opportunity of the game from Alba’s cutback.

A slip as he struck ensured the strike went just wide of Anthony Lopes’ post. Minutes before the end, Suarez’s display was summed up when Lionel Messi’s shot was powered across goal, a solid connection from Suarez would have stolen victory for Barcelona at the death, but the ball glanced off the Uruguayan’s head for a goal kick.

Philippe Coutinho is superior to Ousmane Dembele

When Philippe Coutinho was introduced to this last 16 Champions League tie, he proved that he is the man to play left wing in Ernesto Valverde’s preferred 4-3-3.

Barcelona instantly looked more threatening when the former Liverpool man was brought on for Ousmane Dembele, who squandered several big chances. Coutinho was sharper than Dembele, offered more in possession and demonstrated his superior ability to link up with Jordi Alba to allow the full-back to overlap and create from wide areas.

Lionel Messi appears dejected vs Lyon (AFP/Getty)

Lyon make a welcome return to the UCL knockout

Lyon played their first game in the Champions League knock-out stages since 2012 and produced a fine performance despite failing to penetrate Barcelon

Swapping positions frequently, the midfield three of Martin Terrier, Bertrand Traore and Memphis Depay filled Valverde’s men with panic and confusion for periods of the game. It was refreshing to see from a Lyon side with many future stars on display such as Tanguy Ndombele, who dominated the base of midfield, and Jason Denayer, the ex-Celtic man who kept Suarez quiet for 90 minutes.

Lyon miss Fekir

Watching on from the stands, Nabil Fekir must have wished it were him in the position of Martin Terrier moments before half-time when the attacking midfielder was presented with a guilt-edged opportunity to take the lead against the Spanish champions.

Elegant interplay carved out a chance that joint-top goalscorer Fekir would certainly have devoured. Suspended for the first leg, the Lyon captain scored in two of Bruno Genesio’s last three victories and was deeply missed on the night.​

Luis Suarez appears dejected after missing a chance (EPA)

Les Gones lack experience

Aptly nicknamed The Kids, Lyon were crying out for a seasoned goal-scorer, some experience and a clinical edge in the final third

Other than centre-back Marcelo (30) and goalkeeper Anthony Lopes (28), every player in the starting line-up was under 25 years old.

Lyon were resolute in defence, but in attack they never quite threatened in the way Barcelona did. The average age of the squad is just 23 compared to their opponents at over 27 and although they kept Barcelona out, it is advantage Barcelona heading to the Nou Camp.