WHY Barcelona failed against Juventus

Barcelona failed to do a PSG ‘esque comeback against a well drilled Turin
side as they fail to make it to the semis in a second consecutive seasons losing 3-0 on aggregate after agoalless draw at the Camp Nou.

MESSI’S OFF DAY

Lionel Messi required Neymar to be at his best to overturn a PSG deficit, he was but a second ask was certainly going to be too much for the Brazilian. Messi seemingly picked a bad game for a holiday. Gianluigi Buffon, virtually a spectator throughout the game saved the only shot on target from the Argentine as the Catalans struggled to muster anything real thing in the final third. The Italian Legend continued his shutout against the Argentine wizard enjoying another spell in goal- he had a field day – marshalled by the wall of Bonucci and Chiellini with Khedira doing the clean-up job in front.

Messi yet to score against Nemesis Buffon

Expected to be the creator in a deep-lying role as always, he created two chances all game. He has always stepped up in big games like this but at the knock-out stage this season, he didn’t just cut it. A return of one goal in four knock-out games is a low considering he notched ten in the group stages and versus Juventus, he missed a golden opportunity in the first half shooting wide likewise firing another way off target in the second as he had five whooping shots of target. Despite playing 36 passes in 54 touches, he was strictly restricted from entering and having an impact in places where he loves. Suarez needed his supplies in this sort of games but Juventus were just too hard to crack. As has been the case often, no Messi, no party.

BONUCCI AND CHIELLINI

Considered two of the finest centre-backs on the planet, this game has only added gloss to their already blooming resume. The fantastic pair often supported by the chesty Barzagli was close to perfect on the night. A mixture of the old and modern style of defending, what has endeared them to the football fans is the way they go about doing their job, they are highly revered for their defending abilities in such a way that modern defenders envy. The Turin outfit’s game plan was executed to perfection. They had the famed “MSN” on toast. The "not

Juventus have the best defence in Europe

orious" defenders relished and revelled in the chance of battling Suarez and also, excelled.

The Old Lady’s defence schooled the Catalans and the clueless Parisans, they could be considered as the best in the World. Why? Because posting a shutout in a total of 180 minutes of footballing action against  a team that has scored 143 goals in all competitions so far is no mean feat. The mind boggling stat include the fact that Juventus haven’t conceded a goal in 8 hours of Champions League. Supported by old boy Dani Alves and Alex Sandro as full-backs, sure they couldn’t take all of the credit.

PSG AND JUVENTUS ARE OF DIFFERENT CLASSES

Arguably the best of all comebacks, coming from 4-0 to win 6-1 and 6-5 on aggregate is imperial. The footballing world was amazed, nobody saw it coming, Barcelona sealed their tag as one of the greatest club. Neymar could have easily won the Ballon d’Or on the night with such a performance. Luis Enrique pulled off the impossible but truth be told, PSG were simply awful. A first leg master class against the Blaugraunas was supposed to send them to a new height, alas, they bottled the game at the final minutes not considering why Barcelona had scored such a huge amount of goals in the first place having left their shooting boots at home in the first leg.

For what its worth, Unai Emery’s experience counted for nothing as a coach who won back to back Europa League titles, more was expected from him. Enter Juventus, Allegri’s men were up for the task from the word go. You wouldn’t expect them to lose a 3 goal lead anyways. They were brought up this way, they have shipped in only two goals throughout the course of the tournament, the best defence in Europe by a mile. They have the mental toughness with the best defence in the league. Not taking away any credit from the Parisans, tactical awareness has always been Italy’s thing, Thiago Silva will say yes and 2006 World Cup is there for all to see. Resolute, a compact and robust set-up was all that was needed to frustrate the Catalans on and off the ball, one shot on target all game made Barcelona look like an average team.

They were up to the task even when their golden boy Dybala was off his game. Make no mistake, PSG and Juventus will always be different, history speak for itself.

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