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

It's perhaps a tired trope to wax poetic about the virtues of an Italian club's defence, but Juventus' excellent display in the quarter-finals against Barcelona certainly lived up to the cliche.

The Bianconeri are off to the semi-finals of the tournament after silencing (for the most part) arguably the most explosive attacking unit on the planet, keeping the Spanish juggernaut off the board for over 180 minutes en route to an impressive 3-0 aggregate win.

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

Here are some of the numbers that highlight the defensive solidity of the reigning Italian kingpin:

1 - Shots on target by Barcelona on Wednesday

Despite dominating possession (as expected), and firing 19 shots in the contest, Barcelona only tested Gianluigi Buffon once.

3 - Teams to shutout Barcelona in both legs of knockout round tie

Juventus is breathing rarefied air after earning a 3-0 aggregate win over the typically high-scoring Blaugrana.

21 - First time Barcelona's failed to score at home in 21 matches

When the Champions League anthem blares at the Camp Nou - and is promptly drowned out by jeering fans - it is almost always followed by at least one goal (and usually more) for the home side. Wednesday's goalless draw signaled the first time in 21 Champions League matches that Barcelona didn't find the back of the net at the vaunted stadium.

46 - Champions League clean sheets for Gianluigi Buffon

(Photo courtesy: Action Images)

Juventus' ageless shot-stopper continues to close in on the all-time record for Champions League clean sheets, now sitting fourth behind only Petr Cech (47), Edwin van der Sar (50), and table-topper Iker Casillas (54).

531 - Juventus' shutout streak in the Champions League

Not since Nico Pareja's goal in a group contest against Sevilla on Nov. 22 has Juventus had to pick the ball out of its own net in this tournament. That's a run that has now hit 531 minutes after Wednesday's result, good enough for nearly nine hours of football.