Messi replaced Gerard Deulofeu after 55 minutes and came close to breaking the deadlock with a free-kick that fizzed just over the crossbar. Suarez was off target with another effort, but Juventus probably had the better chances and this was not vintage Barca.
It has not been for some time, but it is working. The Blaugrana have conceded only four goals all season in La Liga and have let in just one in the Champions League - and even that came when they were 3-0 up at home to Olympiacos.
With Messi in the team and other technicians such as Andres Iniesta and Sergio Busquets, there will always be something to admire when Barcelona play, but Valverde is not a stylist and he is unconcerned with aesthetics.
That can be a dangerous game at the Catalan club as Louis van Gaal and also Luis Enrique found out in their tenures, but as long as it brings trophies, the fans will be happy enough for a while. And after the double defeat to Real Madrid in the Spanish Supercopa, this season has exceeded all expectations for Valverde's new pragmatic Barca, who have now recorded back-to-back 0-0 draws in the Champions League for the first time eve
If even Messi is happy to sit out on occasions, the Barca boss clearly has the players on his side. He is his own man and this team is being built very much in his image. So far, so good.