Barcelona 0-0 Juventus (agg 0-3): Italians hold firm to reach Champions League semi-final

By Gerard Brand

Thursday 20 April 2017 08:05, UK

Juventus held Barcelona to a 0-0 draw at the Nou Camp to reach the Champions League semi-final with a 3-0 aggregate win.

Gonzalo Higuain missed two first-half chances inside the box for the visitors, while Barcelona's Lionel Messi also fluffed two of his own either side of the break as the hosts chased the game.

Juventus' superb backline held on for a clean sheet, sailing through to the last four as a result, meaning Massimiliano Allegri's side reach the last four for only the second time since 2003.

With Barcelona facing an uphill task having lost the first leg 3-0 in Turin, Juventus reached half-time unscathed with a determined defensive performance.

After Barcelona's victory over PSG in the last 16, where they overturned a 4-0 deficit from the first leg to go through 6-5 on aggregate, home fans were in a hopeful mood.

But it was Juventus who had the first opportunity through Higuain as the ball fell kindly to him in the box, but the Argentina international snatched at his shot, striking over the bar.

Messi then pulled an effort wide from inside the penalty area, and Higuain again spurned a chance at the other end on the stretch from close range after Miralem Pjanic's delightful chipped ball.

Juan Cuadrado struck wide after the break following another Juventus break, before Messi's low effort deflected off Giorgio Chiellini and flew inches wide of the left-hand post.

Messi's bad day continued as he spurned a chance inside the box again, volleying over from Luis Suarez's centre, before Sergi Roberto struck wide with a fierce left-footed shot.

Barcelona pushed men forward in search goal, as Gerard Pique played the last 10 minutes as a striker, but Juventus' stubborn defence were not to be breached.