Italian press hails Roma while Spanish papers lampoon Barca's humiliating loss

Gordon Brunt• ·
Front pages of sports newspapers are displayed at a kiosk in Barcelona on April 11, 2018 a day after the victory of AS Roma over FC Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League round of quarter-final second leg football match. Barcelona's shock Champions League exit at the hands of Roma does not discount what is likely to be a double-winning season but the loss should serve as a warning for what comes next. After the 3-0 defeat at Stadio Olimpico, which sent Roma through on away goals, Ernesto Valverde paid lip-service to shouldering responsibility but in the same breath pointed to a disappointment with his players. / AFP PHOTO / Josep LAGO
JOSEP LAGO / AFP / Getty

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)

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