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No more miracles: Juventus snuffs out Barcelona to reach semi-finals

Reuters / Sergio Perez

Barcelona used up all of its magic against Paris Saint-Germain.

Juventus' stout backline was always going to prove an enormous obstacle as the Blaugrana looked to overturn a 3-0 deficit from the opening leg of their heavyweight quarter-final tie, and in the end, they couldn't even muster a single tally to give the Camp Nou hope of another miracle.

Related - Defensive masterclass: How Juventus' backline stole the show in Spain

Despite bending on occasion, the Bianconeri defended superbly, earning a goalless draw on Wednesday that gave the Italian side a place in the semi-finals of the competition for the second time in three seasons.

"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," Leonardo Bonucci, who dominated alongside central defensive partner Giorgio Chiellini, said after the match.

"It was a performance of great unity and solidity. We have belief in ourselves, because scoring three goals past Barcelona and then keeping a clean sheet at Camp Nou proves we are a great team.

"Now there are another two steps to go."

Related: Allegri's reputation still rising after authoring latest Juventus triumph

For Barcelona, meanwhile, the defeat signals the third time in the last four seasons that the club has failed to reach the semi-finals of the competition.

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