The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Barca exit Champions League as Juve prove resolute
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: Hopes of a repeat of Nou Camp comeback victory dashed by disciplined Italians
BARCELONA 0 JUVENTUS 0 (AGGREGATE 0-3)
Barcelona could not conjure another famous Champions League revival after Juventus held firm to secure their semifinal place thanks to a 3-0 aggregate victory.
The Catalan giants hit back from a 4-0 last-16 first-leg deficit to down Paris StGermain six weeks ago and they needed a comeback of similarly epic proportions at the Nou Camp last night after shipping three goals in Turin.
But the Italian champions proved a more resolute prospect and a determined defensive showing in this quarterfinal second leg secured a goalless draw.
Lionel Messi twice missed the target with gilt-edged opportunities in either half but in the end, Barcelona left themselves with too much of a mountain to climb after being humbled last week.
A brace from Paulo Dybala and a goal from Giorgio Chiellini put Juventus on the brink of a last-four place, but they would have been well aware of their opponents’ comeback capabilities.
Having been down and out against PSG, Barcelona produced one of the best attacking displays the competition has ever seen to triumph 6-5 on aggregate last month.
But Juve, who had conceded only two goals in nine Champions League matches this season before last night, proved far more disciplined at the back with Chiellini and his defence protecting Gianluigi Buffon, who was rarely troubled.
Barca had scored three times in the final seven minutes against PSG but there was no hint of anything similar this time as the Italians cruised into the last four.
MONACO 3 BORUSSIA DORTMUND 1 (AGGREGATE 6-3)
Monaco secured their place in tomorrow’s semi-final draw with a 3-1 win over Borussia Dortmund at Stade Louis II to seal a 6-3 aggregate victory.
Kylian Mbappe, Radamel Falcao and Valere Germain were on target as Monaco scored three goals for the fourth consecutive Champions League match.
The Germans were up against it in the second leg having lost 3-2 at home last week, the match played a day later than originally scheduled after three bombs exploded close to the Dortmund bus, leaving defender Marc Bartra in hospital with arm injuries.
Although the Spaniard was able to attend the return match in Monaco and sit with his squad on the bench as well as deliver the final part of what was mostlikely an emotional team talk, there was to be no fairy-tale ending as the Ligue 1 leaders completed the job with another impressive victory.