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Antonio Calanni
AS IT HAPPENED

As it happened: Juventus v Barcelona, Champions League quarter-final

We’re following the first-leg action from Turin, where Juventus host Barcelona in a repeat of the 2015 final.

Unfortunately tonight’s other quarter-final between Borussia Dortmund and Monaco has been postponed due to an explosion, but the game in Turin looks set to go ahead so we’ll keep you updated here throughout the evening.

Kick-off is scheduled for 7.45pm.

Here are the teams…

It’s underway in Turin.

Khedira with a speculative effort for Juve and it’s well off target.

There’s an urgency about the home side early on, as they press Barca high up the pitch.

Close! Pjanic’s free-kick from the right finds Higuain but the Juve striker heads straight at Ter Stegen.

GOAL! Juventus 1 Barcelona 0 (Dybala, 7)

Brilliant work from Cuadrado on the right as he tees up Dybala, who turns and finishes delightfully to put Juve ahead.

Barca not enjoying this so far. They’re being afforded very little time and space.

Messi fouled by Chiellini outside the box and towards the right. The Argentine takes it himself but fires it well wide.

Here’s that Dybala goal…

1

Pjanic swings in another Juve free from the right but this time it’s Suarez who gets it away.

Close! Beautiful ball through for Iniesta by Messi but Buffon makes a vital save for Juve.

GOAL! Juventus 2 Barcelona 0 (Dybala, 22)

Barcelona caught napping at the back as Juve break, with Mandzukic cutting the ball back from the left for Dybala, who finishes emphatically to double the Italians’ lead. We’re giving Buffon an assist for that!

Here’s Dybala’s second…

2

Messi has the ball in the net for Barca but it’s disallowed as Suarez was ruled offside.

Barca owning the ball now as Juve begin to drop deeper.

It’s still all Barcelona but they can’t find a breakthrough against a disciplined Juve defence.

Juve break, Cuadrado cuts the ball back for Pjanic but he blasts his effort way off target.

Mathieu’s cross from the left finds the head of Suarez but his effort deflects off Chiellini and out for a corner, from which Buffon collects for Juve.

Cuadrado releases Khedira down the right for Juve but his cross is cut out by Iniesta.

Close! Higuain’s volley is awkward for Ter Stegen who’s forced to concede a corner.

Khedira goes close after Barca initially cleared the danger, but that’s half-time and it’s the hosts in the ascendancy.

Half-time: Juventus 2 Barcelona 0

One change for Barca at the break: Andre Gomes is on for Jeremy Mathieu.

The game has resumed.

Close! Messi plays in Neymar, Bonucci intercepts, before Messi shoots narrowly wide.

Close! Khedira shoots just wide for Juve from just outside the box. Exciting start to this second half.

Iniesta shoots for Barca and it deflects off a Juve player for a corner. There’s a real sense of purpose about the Catalans here, but the corner is wasted.

Pique’s ball through almost creates an opening for Suarez but it’s smothered by Buffon.

Neymar has a crack from distance but it’s nowhere near the target.

Suarez’s cross is only half cleared and Iniesta fires over. Juve living dangerously.

Close! Cuadrado tees up Higuain on the edge of the box but Ter Stegen saves for Barca.

Suarez gets a yellow card for a foul on Dani Alves.

Close! Higuain played through on goal by Dani Alves but Ter Stegen makes a vital save. Awful defending by Barca.

GOAL! Juventus 3 Barcelona 0 (Chiellini, 55)

Chiellini out-muscles Mascherano and heads home a corner to increase Juve’s lead.

Here’s Chiellini’s goal…

3

At the moment it’s looking like Barca will have another mountain to climb at the Camp Nou in the second leg but there’s still 25 minutes to go here so a lot can happen in the meantime.

Close! Messi plays in Suarez with another sublime ball but it’s just off target.

Neymar’s effort blocked by what looked like Chiellini’s hand. That should have been a penalty for Barca.

Barca starting to find openings again. Nervy moments for Juve.

Cuadrado has the ball in the net for Juve but it’s ruled out for a dodgy offside call on Khedira.

Suarez is teed up on the edge of the box but he balloons it over. Barca getting frustrated.

Neymar tries to play in Suarez but Chiellini comes to the rescue.

Messi crosses for Umtiti but it’s just too high.

Barca knocking at the door, looking to at least bring an away goal back to the Camp Nou tomorrow week.

Messi hits his free-kick at the wall but Suarez wins Barca a corner.

Four minutes to be added on in Turin.

Full-time: Juventus 3 Barcelona 0

Tony Adams aims to kick Granada backsides

Everton boss Koeman and club captain pay recovering Coleman a visit in Donegal

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