DUSHANBE, 12.04.2017 /NIAT “Khovar”/. A brace by Paulo Dybala inspired Juventus to a 3-0 victory over Barcelona in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals on Tuesday.
Juventus got off to a bright start and nearly took the lead three minutes in when Gonzalo Higuain was left unmarked in the centre of the box before latching onto the end of the free-kick but the striker head his effort straight at Ter Stegen.
However, four minutes later and the home side took the lead when Juan Cuadrado dazzled his way into the area before laying the ball off to Dybala, who opened up before bending the ball into the far post to make it 1-0.
Barcelona came close to equalizing in the 21st minute when Lionel Messi sent a stunningly incisive through ball to Iniesta, who times his run perfectly. The midfielder only had the keeper to beat but Buffon reacted incredibly deflect the ball out for a corner.
However, Juventus responded well and doubled their lead a minute later when Mandzukic pulled the ball back to Dybala, who hits a first-time effort into the bottom corner to make it 2-0.
The Bianconeri came close to extending their lead a minute before the half-time interval when Alex Sandro did well to pick out Higuain, who took a touch to control and powers an effort at goal but Ter Stegen was on hand to parry the ball away.
Barca came out with more of an attacking intent in the second half when Messi was his curling effort guided wide of the far post.
Juve should’ve made it 3-0 in the 54th minute when Higuain beat the offside trap and found himself through on goal. His first touch takes the pace out of the move, and his eventual shot was stopped by Ter Stegen.
However, the Italian side did take the lead a minute later when Chiellini rose the highest to power his headed effort in off the far post following a Pjanic corner to make it 3-0.
The visiting side almost pulled a goal back in the 67th minute when Luiz Suarez was played through for his first chance of the match but Buffon got the slightest of touches on his effort to steer it beyond the far post.
Barcelona pressured forward in search of an away goal in the closing stages of the match but struggled to carve out any clear-cut opportunities in the final third.
However, Juventus Held onto their 3-0 lead over Barcelona until the final whistle to take a comfortable lead heading into the second leg at the Nou Camp.