Juventus defensive masterclass dumps Barcelona out of the Champions League
An expert defensive performance – from back to front – was enough frustrate Barcelona and send Juventus into the Champions League last four.
Though Barcelona had plenty of the ball, they only created two proper chances over the course of 90 minutes, and could have no complaints that they were not beaten by the better team.
Juventus actually started the brighter, unwilling to allow their hosts time in possession and first to loose and second balls.
Eventually, though Barcelona took over with Neymar particularly influential.
Unusually, Lionel Messi was quiet, but then on 19 minutes he spread play wide to Jordi Alba and continued into the box, except when the cross came over, he drilled wide from eight yards.
That was as good as it got for the home side, who became increasingly tetchy as the night developed. Juvem meanwhile, could count on Giorgio Chiellini, the best player on the pitch, and Leonardo Bonucci, while Juan Cuadrado and Mario Mandzukic gave excellent support to Dani Alves and Alex Sandro.
Perhaps the most significant compliment one might pay Juventus is that the game, a Champions League quarter-final second leg, at Camp Nou, was a complete non-event.
Never did they panic; never were they even flustered. It is true that Sami Khedira picked up a booking, so will miss the first leg of the semi, but otherwise, it was another perfect night for the Old Lady.
TALKING POINT
Can Juventus win the Champions League? They will certainly be asked more questions by Monaco and Real Madrid, who attack with greater fluency than Barcelona, while Atletico Madrid defend at least as well. Which is to say that of the remaining four clubs, they are the outsiders – but none of the other three will relish playing them.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus) A more or less perfect defensive display, giving away very little to some of the best players in the world and whose commanding presence inspired his teammates.
KEY STAT
Tonight was the first time under Luis Enrique that Barcelona have failed to win a Champions League home game
In ten Champions League games so far this season, Juventus have conceded just two goals.
PLAYER RATINGS
Barcelona: Ter Stegen 6, Sergi Roberto 6, Pique 6, Umtiti 6, Jordi Alba 6, Busquets 5, Rakitic 5, Iniesta 4, Messi 5, Suarez 4, Neymar 7. Subs: Alcacer 5, Mascherano 5.
Juventus: Buffon 6, Dani Alves 7, Bonucci 8, Chiellini 9, Alex Sandro 6, Khedira 8, Pjanic 6, Cuadrado 7, Dybala 6, Mandzukic 6, Higuain 5. Subs: Barzagli 6, Lemina 6, Asamoah 6.
KEY MOMENTS
15 – Lovely ball from Pjanic setting Cuadrado away down the right and Dybala’s in the middle, but Pique slides in to block superbly. Immediately, Barca break with Neymar, and the move ends with Rakitic’s shot from the edge of the box which flies over.
18’ – We’ve seen this before! For the first time, Messi finds himself in space outside the box and lifts a pass into it for Jordi Alba. On the slide, he can’t quite arrive in time, shinning over the bar.
19’ – Barca have taken over these last few minutes, and here’s Messi! He spreads wide to Alba, makes his way into the box, and when the ball does too, Suarez tees him up … except, arriving onto it, he drags wide from eight yards!
49’ – Dybala robs Iniesta and finds Higuain, who slides right for Cuardrado … his low drive scuttles just wide, though he insists it’s a corner not the goalkick which is what’s given. Ter Stegen might’ve got a touch, but I’d say not.
56’ – Lovely from Rakitic, snapping a square pass to Messi from out on the right. Messi takes it beautifully too, moving it into his stride to shoot from 20. But Chiellini stretches every fibre of his being to narrow the angle, and the low left-footed curler is accordingly a foot wide of the far stick.
67’ – Barca win a corner, Buffon comes, misses, and Suarez clips the loose ball back for Messi! But it’s a little high and on his right foot, so though he leaps well, he can only guide yet another shot off target.
80’ – Chance for Barca! Clip over the top from Neymar, and there’s Mascherano in the six-yard box, without a goal in 300-odd appearances for the club, getting a feather when all it needed was a tickle! Dear oh dear.
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