Paulo Dybala struck twice inside the opening 22 minutes of first half as Juventus took a firm grip on this UEFA Champions League quarter-final tie.
Barcelona started with a makeshift defense in the absence of the suspended Sergio Busquets, and the unfamiliarity was exposed in no time. Just seven minutes on the clock and Juan Cuadrado fed the ball to Dybala who, with defenders backing off, spun and fired into the far corner an amazing goal.
A fantastic reaction save from Gianluigi Buffon to deny Andrés Iniesta kept the lead intact and moments later it was 2-0, Dybala driving in with a first touch shot from the edge of the box. Giorgio Chiellini’s header intercepting the corner ten minutes after half-time – only his second ever goal in the competition – left home fans in dream land.
Just one word of caution for Juventus though: Paris.
It is traditional, in the lead-up to important ties like this, for players to watch their words. Dybala eschewed that approach this week and stated, firmly, that he expected to knock Barcelona out, that Juventus were better than their opponents. Tonight he played with all the impishness and technique which have marked him down as special – and added two wonderful goals for emphasis.
Juventus stretch unbeaten home run in UEFA competition to 22 games.
Barcelona suffer heavy first-leg away loss for second successive round.
Second leg at Camp Nou on Wednesday April 19.
Also the match between Borussia Dortmund and AC Monaco was postponed and rescheduled for 13 April as explosions near the Dortmund Bus left Marc Bartra injured.