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UEFA Champions League: Barca, Dortmund out as Juve and Monaco progress to semi


 UEFA Champions League:  Barca, Dortmund out as Juve and Monaco progress to semi

Barcelona are out of the Champions League after being held to a goalless draw by Juventus at the Nou Camp.

The result takes the Italian champions through to the semi finals 3-0 on aggregate.

In comparison to the last 16 when Barcelona sensationally overturned a 4-0 deficit against PSG with a 6-1 win in the second leg, the Catalan giants were unable to repeat the feat.

A similar comeback was always going to be a tall order given how strong Juventus are defensively.

And so it proved at the Nou Camp as Barcelona failed to score, with a lack of composure from their fearsome forward trio of Neymar, Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi an issue throughout the game, as well as Juve's class in defence.

Meanwhile, Borussia Dortmund's European campaign is also over after losing 3-1 at Monaco, resulting in a 6-3 aggregate defeat overall to the French league leaders.

Just eight days on from a bomb attack on their bus which left defender Marc Bartra with arm injuries, Dortmund's team coach was delayed for 20 minutes en route to the match, causing a late kick off.

Kylian Mbappe, who is arguably the most talented young player in Europe at the moment, continued his recent brilliant form by giving Monaco the lead and scoring his third goal of the tie, having scored twice in the rescheduled fixture.

Former Atletico Madrid, Manchester United and Chelsea striker Radamel Falcao doubled that lead, before Marco Reus pulled one back for Dortmund after half time.

But Monaco were able to get a third on the night when second half sub Valere Germain found the net.

Monaco and Juventus now join Madrid duo Atletico and Real in the last four.

Neymar was in tears:

Neymar was in tears on the pitch after Barcelona were dumped out of the Champions League by Juventus on Wednesday evening.

A defensive masterclass from the Italian champions stifled Barca, resulting in a goalless draw at Camp Nou.

Barcelona needed a mountain to climb after being convincingly beaten 3-0 by Juve in the first leg in Italy, but Neymar, Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi were rarely given a chance to make amends in Wednesday night’s return fixture.

At the final whistle, Neymar was visibly upset by his side’s elimination, but was consoled by his former Barca team-mate Dani Alves and Juventus winger Juan Cuadrado.

Bonucci said the Juve proved their greatness :

Juventus defender Leonardo Bonucci said the club proved their greatness by knocking out Barcelona in the quarter-finals of the Champions League with a 3-0 aggregate victory on Wednesday.

The Serie A leaders were strong favourites to progress having won the first leg 3-0 and held the Catalans to a goalless draw at Camp Nou to move into the last four, ending Barca's 15-match home winning streak in Europe under Luis Enrique in the process.

Bonucci believes twice recording a clean sheet against the feted frontline of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez demonstrates the strength of Juve, who were beaten in the final by Barcelona in the 2014-15 season.

"We knew they were coming to push us high, running a few risks at the back, but we did well to be united and compact when defending, above all thanks to Dani Alves and Mario Mandzukic for pressuring their full-backs," Bonucci told Mediaset Premium.

Bonucci collected Messi's shirt at the full-time whistle after winning his individual battle with the Argentina superstar and insisted Juve are the team to avoid in the semi-final draw.

"I was pleased to have the jersey of the best player in the world, so it was just a great memento for my personal collection," Bonucci added. "My son will be very happy, though he might be happier with that of [Torino striker] Andrea Belotti!




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