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Champions League | Quarter-Finals
Apr 19, 2017 at 7.45pm UK
 
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Live Commentary: Barcelona 0-0 Juventus - as it happened

Relive Sports Mole's live commentary of the second leg of the Champions League quarter-final between Barcelona and Juventus from Camp Nou.
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Barcelona welcomed Juventus to Camp Nou on Wednesday night looking to turn around a 3-0 deficit from the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final last week.

Both teams had chances in an open first 45 minutes, but the first-leg score still stood at the interval.

Barcelona continued to press in the second period as they looked for a remarkable turnaround, but Juventus' excellent defence stood strong as it finished goalless on the night.

Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.


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Evening all! Sports Mole's live Champions League coverage continues from Camp Nou as Spanish champions Barcelona welcome Italian champions Juventus for the second leg of their quarter-final. Juventus are the firm favourites to march onto the semi-finals after recording a 3-0 in the first leg at the Juventus Stadium last week. Can Barcelona turn this tie around on home soil? Stay tuned to find out!

As mentioned, Juventus will enter the second leg with a 3-0 advantage following an excellent performance in Turin last week. The Italian champions dominated from start to finish, leading 2-0 at the interval courtesy of a double from Paulo Dybala, before Giorgio Chiellini headed a third early in the second period. Barcelona simply could not get going in the first leg last Tuesday night.

Tonight will be the ninth European meeting between these two clubs. Both teams have recorded three wins, while the remaining two fixtures have finished level. They actually met in the 2015 Champions League final, and it was Barcelona that landed the crown in Berlin courtesy of a 3-1 success.

The pair also met at the quarter-final stage of the 2002-03 competition, and it was Juventus that progressed courtesy of a 3-2 aggregate success. The two teams played out a 1-1 draw in the first leg in Turin, before Juventus won 2-1 after extra-time at Camp Nou to make the semi-finals. Right, let's clear up the all-important team news from Barcelona. *Spoiler* these three all start for the hosts tonight...

Barcelona trio Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar in training© SilverHub


TEAMS!

BARCA: Ter Stegen; Roberto, Pique, Umtiti, Alba; Busquets, Rakitic, Iniesta; Messi, Suarez, Neymar


JUVE: Buffon; Alves, Bonucci, Chiellini, Sandro; Khedira, Pjanic; Cuadrado, Dybala, Mandzukic; Higuain


Barcelona boss Luis Enrique has reverted back to a 4-3-3 formation at Camp Nou, with Sergi Roberto and Jordi Alba selected in the full-back positions. Andres Iniesta and Ivan Rakitic, meanwhile, will provide the midfield support for Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar. Aside from Javier Mascherano, who is only on the bench with a calf problem, it is arguably Barcelona's strongest XI.

As for Juventus, head coach Massimiliano Allegri has kept faith with the same XI that started the first leg in Turin, which means that Mario Mandzukic and Juan Cuadrado operate in the wide positions in support of front two Paulo Dybala and Gonzalo Higuain once again. Dani Alves returns to his former stadium, while Miralem Pjanic again starts alongside Sami Khedira in central midfield.

Paulo Dybala celebrates scoring during the Champions League game between Juventus and Bayern Munich on February 22, 2016© AFP


So there we have it. The two teams are in and we are now just about 40 minutes from kickoff on this warm evening in Barcelona. I shall speak about Juventus a little bit later, but let's start with the home side. Enrique's side managed to perform heroics in the last round to overcome Paris Saint-Germain, but they will need an even more special performance tonight against Juventus.

Barcelona's quarter-final record in the European Cup is won 14 and lost four, but they are staring at a fifth last-eight defeat after losing 3-0 in Turin last week. The Spanish giants suffered a 4-0 defeat in the first leg of their last-16 tie in Paris, but created Champions League history in the return at Camp Nou when they recorded a 6-1 victory to incredibly match into the quarter-finals once again.

Enrique's side have won all 15 home games in the Champions League since the Spaniard took charge, while they are unbeaten in their last 20 European games at Camp Nou, which is a record that stretches back to September 2013. Tonight, however, they have to overcome a three-goal deficit.

Luis Enrique at the press conference after Barcelona training on October 18, 2016© SilverHub


They have also won eight of their 11 two-legged ties against Italian opposition, but will need to score at least three times against one of the meanest defences in the world to stand a chance of making the final four. There is some hope for the Catalan outfit, however, who recorded a 6-1 win over Roma on the last occasion that they welcomed Italian opposition to Camp Nou - in last season's group stage.

Barcelona are also unbeaten in their last 12 home matches against teams from Serie A – recording nine wins in the process. There are genuine concerns over their defence at the moment, however, which has shipped seven goals in the last three matches. Enrique's constant change of formation does seem to have caused a lot of problems at the back, but it is back to a 4-3-3 tonight.

Barcelona did manage to record a 3-2 win over Real Sociedad at the weekend to keep their La Liga title hopes alive, but it was another lacklustre performance. It has at least kept them to within three points of league leaders Real Madrid, however, ahead of El Clasico at the Bernabeu this weekend.

Gerard Pique in action for Barcelona on October 19, 2016© SilverHub


Despite their domination in Serie A, Juventus have not actually lifted the European Cup since 1996, which is simply too long for a team with such history and standing in the world of football. This is Juventus' 17th European Cup quarter-final though, and they have won 11 of the previous 16.

Allegri's side breezed into the knockout round of this season's Champions League – conceding just twice – before recording a 3-0 aggregate victory over Porto to make the final eight of the competition once again. Not only have Juventus won all four away fixtures in this season's competition, they have kept three clean sheets in the process – scoring 10 times and conceding just once. Meanwhile, they have won 34 of the 42 UEFA competition ties where they triumphed in the first leg on home soil.

Juventus have also already tasted success in Spain this season – recording a 3-1 victory at Sevilla in the group stage. They have actually lost 15 of their 24 European ties in Spain, although the 3-0 advantage gained from the first leg has given them some serious breathing space at Camp Nou.

Juventus' coach Massimiliano Allegri reacts during the Italian Serie A football match Juventus Vs Bologna on October 4, 2015© Getty Images


Allegri's side have actually only lost one of their last 19 games in all competitions – recording 16 wins in the process. A 2-0 victory at Pescara on Saturday afternoon saw them move eight points clear of second-place Roma in Serie A, and they are very well-placed to win their 33rd Serie A crown.

Here we go then - both sets of players have joined us on the pitch for the first 45 minutes of action at Camp Nou. Can Barcelona pull off another second-leg comeback? Stay tuned to find out!

KICKOFF! Barcelona kick things off at Camp Nou...

... you just get the feeling that Barcelona have to score first at Camp Nou. One goal for Juventus would leave the home side needing five, and that is some task against one of the meanest defences in world football. As expected, there is a wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium tonight.

Good possession for Juventus in the last couple of minutes as they pass and probe in the final third, but Cuadrado cannot beat Alba in a wide position, and the home side clear their lines. Juventus continue to press, however, and Dybala is fouled by Rakitic after showing some smart feet.

CHANCE! Super chance for Juventus to take the lead as Pjanic's clever free kick finds Higuain, but the Argentine gets his effort all wrong, and Barcelona survive a dangerous moment.

Juventus continue to threaten as Pjanic delivers a dangerous free kick into the Barcelona box, but Rakitic wins a very important header. Neymar has had a couple of chances to stretch his legs down the left for the home side, but it is the Italian champions impressing in the early stages at Camp Nou.

Neymar asks for more from the Barcelona supporters after winning another corner. The set piece is played short and then delivered towards Pique, but Juventus manage to clear their lines.

Better from Barcelona in the last couple of minutes as they start to find space in forward positions, although Juventus are very dangerous on the counter-attack. Still goalless with 12 minutes on the clock, but both teams are committing numbers forward when they break into the final third.

Super ball from Neymar to pick out Luis Suarez, but there are no takers on the striker's flick!

CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Juventus to take the lead as the ball falls perfectly for Higuain inside the Barcelona box, but his effort is over the crossbar!

Cuadrado races clear for Juventus and has Dybala to pick out in the middle, but Pique makes a wonderful block to prevent the striker from having a clear effort on goal!

Rakitic strikes over the crossbar as Barcelona counter-attack on the Italians.

Cuadrado turns and lifts one over the crossbar as Juventus threaten once again here.

CHANCE! Super chance for the home side as Messi finds Alba with a wonderful pass, but the left-back cannot make contact and Juventus can resume the play from the dead-ball line.

CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Barcelona as Messi has the freedom of the Juventus box, but he somehow sends the ball wide of the post. He does not usually miss those!

Well, 21 minutes on the clock, and we are somehow still level. Barcelona are in full flow at the moment as they continue to cause problems in the final third of the field, although Juventus are dangerous whenever they have the chance to counter-attack. Super game of football at Camp Nou.

Neymar sends an Alba cross wide of the post as another half-chance arrives.

Roberto sends a volley wide of the post as the pressure from Barcelona continues here.

Dybala breaks through for Juventus and actually beats Ter Stegen to a through pass, but the flag is raised, sparing the blushes of the Barcelona goalkeeper. It was a very late flag from the linesman!

Juventus have negotiated the opening 27 minutes of this second leg. Barcelona would have been looking for an early goal tonight, but the Italian champions have been strong defensively thus far. You just get the feeling that the home side need to score at least once before the half-time break.

Iniesta scoops one over the Juventus crossbar, but Suarez had already been penalised for a foul.

Neymar escapes a booking despite a show of dissent towards the referee.

Signs of frustration from the Barcelona players at the moment as the referee continues to whistle for free kicks in favour of Juventus. Not an awful lot going forward for the Italians in the last few minutes, although they have kept their clean sheet in tact with 31 minutes on the clock here.

SAVE! Buffon is across to keep out Messi's strike, before the Argentine hits the side-netting from a narrow angle. Smart piece of goalkeeping from the Italian stopper there!

Juventus are defending very narrow when Barcelona have possession in the final third of the field, which is crowding the positions that Messi and Neymar like to find. It is a clear tactic from the Italian giants, and it is working as the score remains goalless approaching the end of the first period.

Mis-control from Suarez at the far post after Pique had flicked a header towards him. It is very frustrating for the Barcelona players at the moment due to Juventus' brilliant game management.

Buffon beats Messi to a bouncing ball as Juventus survive another dangerous moment inside their own box. Barcelona are actually playing pretty well at the moment, but they just cannot seem to break down this stern Italian defence. Juventus still lead 3-0 in this Champions League quarter-final.

CHANCE! Super ball from Pjanic to find Higuain inside the Barcelona box, but the Argentine cannot beat the home side's goalkeeper. Another big chance missed by Higuain.

Super defending from Bonucci as the Juventus centre-back gets in ahead of Suarez to clear a wonderful Roberto cross. Still goalless on the night in the latter stages of the first period here.

BOOKING! Iniesta (Barcelona) is booked for a late challenge on Cuadrado.

Again it is brilliant defending from Bonucci as he comes across to clear following another dangerous passing move from Barcelona. Boos from Camp Nou late in the first period here.

Suarez sends a Neymar cross wide of the post as Barcelona force another half-chance.

BOOKING! Neymar (Barcelona) is booked for hacking Pjanic to the ground.

Messi's head crashes off the turf after a high challenge and the Argentine picks up a nasty cut.

Messi returns, which is great news. It could have been a lot worse for the forward.

We are into the only minute of stoppage time at the end of the first period.

HALF-TIME: Barcelona 0-0 Juventus

So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with the two teams level at 0-0. As a result, Juventus still have a 3-0 advantage in the tie following last week's clash in Turin. Barcelona have had chances to make the breakthrough, but Juventus have also had their moments in attack.

STATISTICS! Barcelona have dominated the possession with 61%, while the home side have had eight attempts, although only one of those was on target. Juventus, meanwhile, hit the target with two of their four attempts in the opening 45 minutes. Two yellows to report - Iniesta and Neymar for Barcelona.

BENCH WATCH! Paco Alcacer and Denis Suarez are options off the Barcelona bench tonight, and it would not be a surprise to see Alcacer thrown on in the second period in search of goals. As for Juventus, head coach Allegri has options in the shape of Asamoah, Lemina, Lichtsteiner and Rincon.

RESTART! Juventus resume the action at Camp Nou...

... no changes from either side at the break, which is not too much of a surprise. However, I suspect that both managers will have alterations in mind as the second period gathers pace here.

Sensational run from Neymar as the Brazilian takes out a number of Juventus players with some brilliant foot-work, but Chiellini is across at the vital moment to close the door on the forward.

WIDE! Higuain releases Cuadrado with a super pass, but the winger's low effort is just wide of the far post. That would have surely ended this quarter-final tie!

Neymar misses the Juventus crossbar after another mazy run had created space.

Juventus are threatening every time they have the chance to counter-attack. It is a dangerous game for Barcelona as they commit players forward, but the home side have little choice as they look for three goals in the second period. Whatever happens, it should be some finish here.

Messi dances through a number of challenges before having a go, but his effort is high.

SAVE! Ter Stegen keeps out a near-post strike from Cuadrado.

Still goalless on the night, Juventus 3-0 in the tie. I would be astounded if tonight's game finished goalless, however, with both teams committing numbers in the final third of the field. Something has to give, whether that is a Juventus goal to kill the tie, or a Barcelona effort for game on!

CLOSE! Messi's low effort deflects just wide of the post!

BOOKING! Chiellini (Juventus) is booked for a late challenge on Suarez, and Barcelona now have a free kick in a very dangerous position. This is one for Messi...

... Messi's set piece is just too high.

BARCELONA SUB! Alcacer replaces Rakitic for Barcelona.

Alex Sandro has to turn clear as Barcelona continue to force the issue in the final third here.

Now 62 minutes on the clock at Camp Nou, and Juventus still have their 3-0 lead from the first leg of this quarter-final. Still time for Barcelona to turn this tie around, but it will take some effort from this position. Chiellini has been an absolute mountain for the Italian champions at the back.

Neymar sends his effort well wide as another opportunity comes and goes for Barcelona.

Couple of half-chances for Juventus in quick succession, but Dybala just fails to meet a low cross from Higuain, before Pjanic has one deflected over the crossbar. One goal for Juventus kills this tie.

BOOKING! Khedira (Juventus) is booked for a late tackle on Suarez.

Still no movement on the Juventus bench, but we are approaching the stage of the match where Allegri will be considering changes. Dybala was carrying an ankle injury into this second leg, and the Argentine has struggled to get into the game in the second period. That is the obvious change.

CHANCE! Another super chance for Messi as Buffon fumbles a corner, but the Argentine hooks over the crossbar. He really should have hit the target from that position.

Bonucci is there once again to clear a cross from Alcacer, which had threatened to find Suarez in a very dangerous position. Still nothing on the night as Juventus continue to defend their lines.

CLOSE! Roberto's effort just misses the Juventus post!

Dybala looks to pick out the top corner with a curling effort, but his strike was always too high. Good spell for Juventus as they enjoy a spell of possession in the home side's half of the field.

Again it is brilliant defending from Chiellini as the Juventus centre-back clears a cross from Neymar, which looked to be landing on the boot of Alcacer. Chiellini and Bonucci have been sensational at the heart of the Juventus back four tonight. Still goalless, and 3-0 Juventus overall.

JUVENTUS SUB! Barzagli replaces Dybala for the away side.

Barcelona force a couple of corners in quick succession as the pressure continues, but Juventus clear their lines time and time again. The home side just cannot find a way through here.

BARCELONA SUB! Mascherano replaces Roberto for the home side.

Pique is playing at centre-forward for Barcelona now.

SAVE! Super save from Buffon to keep out a cross from Neymar, which seemed to be touched by Mascherano. Wonderful reaction from the veteran goalkeeper there!

Cuadrado has the freedom of the Barcelona box, but he cannot find an unmarked Khedira!

Super defending from Barzagli this time as the Juventus centre-back heads a Neymar cross clear of the away side's penalty box. The Italian champions then look to break down the other end with Cuadrado, but Ter Stegen is out to make the clearance. Time is running out for the home side tonight.

JUVENTUS SUB! Lemina replaces Cuadrado for the away side.

Pass, pass, pass from Barcelona, but Juventus are just so exceptional at the back.

Lemina's mis-hit almost finds the bottom corner, but his effort is just wide.

Possession football from Juventus as they close out the final stages of this match.

JUVENTUS SUB! Asamoah replaces Higuain for the away side.

Barcelona want a penalty for a potential Sandro handball, but the officials are not interested.

We are into the first of three additional minutes at Camp Nou.

Juventus continue to clear their lines as the full-time whistle approaches here.

Great noise from the home supporters, which is good to hear, but Barcelona are heading out of the Champions League in the quarter-finals. Juventus deserve to advance over the two legs.

FULL-TIME: Barcelona 0-0 Juventus (Juventus win 3-0 on aggregate)

So there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close with Juventus booking their spot in the semi-finals of the Champions League following a 3-0 aggregate win over Barcelona. The Spanish champions had their moments tonight, but Juventus were simply too strong over the two legs. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for our live coverage once again. Until next time!

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