Juve hailed as Euro dream takes shape

MILAN, April 20, (AFP): “Unbeatable” Juventus can finally hand goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon an elusive Champions League title after making five-time winners Barcelona “cry” in the quarter-finals.

Those were the headlines splashed across the front pages in Italy after rock-solid Juventus followed their impressive 3-0 first-leg win over the Spanish giants with a defensive masterclass that held Barca to a frustrating scoreless draw at the Camp Nou on Wednesday.

As Juve celebrated a 3-0 aggregate win at a stunned but appreciative Camp Nou, Barcelona — who beat Juventus on their way to triumphing in 2015 — crashed out of the competition after seeing Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar fail to find the net over 180 underwhelming minutes.

“Fly Juve Fly” was the frontpage headline on Italy’s biggest-selling sports daily La Gazzetta dello Sport, which included a vignette showing teary-eyed Neymar being comforted by former club defender Dani Alves.

Corriere dello Sport used the same dramatic picture of Alves and Neymar to fully illustrate the Brazilian starlet’s disappointment.

“You made them cry,” screamed Corriere’s headline, while for Turin-based the semifinals. I think they can win the Champions League this season,” said Pique.

Gazzetta dello Sport suggested Juve’s virtually “impenetrable defence” should also give 39-year-old club legend Buffon the chance to add a trophy from Europe’s premier club competition to his long list of titles and accolades.

“It’s your year. With a defence like this you can lift the trophy,” said an inside-page headline.

Currently on their way to a record sixth consecutive Serie A title and a third successive league and Cup double, Juve can also target an unprecedented club treble – last achieved by an Italian club by Inter Milan under Jose Mourinho in 2010.

“Henceforth, there’s no doubt: there’s a smell of the treble in the air,” wrote Gazzetta columnist Alessandro De Calo.

While Allegri applauded the achievement of keeping a clean sheet against Barca, he believes there’s more to come.

Barcelona boss Luis Enrique insists his final season in charge can still end in glory despite bowing out of the Champions League at the quarter-final stage to Juventus.

Juventus held onto their 3-0 first leg lead to progress to the last four by blunting Barca’s star-studded attack in a 0-0 draw on Wednesday.

Neymar left the field in tears, but around the Camp Nou there was appreciation for Barca’s valiant effort by the near 100,000 crowd.

“It’s a sad night, but we tried until the last minute and that was recognised by the fans at the end,” said Enrique, who will step down at the end of the campaign.

“This is (a) team that never gives up, that fights for every title, doesn’t relax and always accepts the challenge.

“It is a joy to belong to a club like this.”

Barca travel to face eternal rivals Real Madrid in El Clasico on Sunday realistically needing to win to maintain their hopes of a third straight La Liga title.

Madrid lead by three points at the top of the table, but also have a game in hand.

Monaco’s Radamel Falcao controls the ball during the Champions League quarter-final second leg soccer match between Monaco and Dortmund at the Louis II Stadium in

Monaco on April 19. (AP)

Juventus players celebrate after winning the UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg football match FC

Barcelona vs Juventus at the Camp Nou Stadium in Barcelona on April 19. (AFP)