Italian press hails Roma while Spanish papers lampoon Barca's humiliating loss
The magnitude of Roma's stunning triumph over Barcelona inevitably triggered contrasting reactions from the two nations press.
While there was unbridled joy emanating from Italy, Barcelona was blasted in the press over what many outlets described as an embarrassing failure after Ernesto Valverde's men bowed out of the Champions League in the quarter-finals for the third consecutive season.
Here are the front pages citizens woke up to Wednesday:
Italy
"THE LEGEND OF ROME...'
Roma's 3-0 triumph, which overturned Barcelona's 3-1 first-leg victory, was nothing short of legendary, according to Corriere dello Sport.
'IMPERIAL! A great Roma turn over Barca ...'
La Gazetta dello Sport produced a similar headline, while referencing the city's imperial period.
'ROMA'S ECSTASY! Juve, see what can be done?'
Meanwhile, Tuttosport took a dig at Juventus' shortcomings in the competition. Juventus lost its first leg 3-1 against Real Madrid, and previously struggled against Barcelona, who, despite getting knocked out of the Champions League last season by the Bianconeri, beat the Italian side at 3-1 in the 2015 final.
Spain
"The fall of Rome"
After claiming Barcelona was handed a favourable draw against Roma, Mundo Deportivo highlighted the Catalan side's failure to reach the semis for a third successive season.
"Total failure in Europe"
Madrid-based Marca seemingly glossed over the defeat in favour of previewing Real Madrid's second-leg clash with Juventus.
(Photo courtesy: Football Espana)
"Disaster - no excuses"
Spanish outlet Sport took an unforgiving look at the loss, describing Barca's failure as a "disaster."
(Photo courtesy: Sport)
HEADLINES
- Dortmund edge PSG in 1st leg of Champions League semifinal
- 3 things PSG must change to avoid another Champions League failure
- Bundesliga beats out EPL to seal extra Champions League spot
- Watch: Fullkrug catches PSG napping for emphatic goal
- 'Big stage' Sancho back to scintillating best after tearing PSG apart