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Dani Alves has revealed how he consoled Neymar after Barcelona’s Champions League elimination reduced his former team-mate to tears.
Alves was part of the Juventus defence which held Luis Enrique’s side at bay on Wednesday night to secure a 3-0 aggregate win and reach the semi-finals of this year’s competition.
The former Barcelona full-back noticed that Neymar was visibly upset after the final whistle and attempted to comfort his friend, who he won two La Liga titles and a Champions League alongside during his time in Catalonia.
Show all 22 1 /22Barcelona 0 Juventus 0 player ratings Barcelona 0 Juventus 0 player ratings Marc-Andre Ter Stegen – 6 out of 10 Up to the task on the few occasions Juventus called him into action, but on the whole had little to contend with.
Barcelona 0 Juventus 0 player ratings Sergi Roberto – 6 out of 10 Attacked with purpose down Barcelona’s right but could not repeat his heroics of the last round.
Barcelona 0 Juventus 0 player ratings Gerard Pique – 6 out of 10 Did well to deny Cuadrado in the first quarter of an hour, but will have hoped to have made a more telling contribution at the other end.
Barcelona 0 Juventus 0 player ratings Samuel Umtiti – 6 out of 10 Another Barca defender who largely coped with what he was tasked to do, but his side’s problems lay up front.
Barcelona 0 Juventus 0 player ratings Jordi Alba – 5 out of 10 Should have connected and scored after Messi’s beautiful lofted pass early on.
Barcelona 0 Juventus 0 player ratings Ivan Rakitic – 5 out of 10 An underwhelming display, with no notable moments of invention on a night when Barca needed his vision and creativity.
Barcelona 0 Juventus 0 player ratings Sergio Busquets – 6 out of 10 Did the simple stuff in the centre of the park, as you might expect, but it would take more than that to break down the Juventus defence.
Barcelona 0 Juventus 0 player ratings Andres Iniesta – 6 out of 10 Showed the most of any Barca midfielder, but that’s not saying much. A devilish first half cross was one of the few to get the better of Chiellini.
Barcelona 0 Juventus 0 player ratings Lionel Messi – 6 out of 10 A few neat touches, but we’ve come to expect so much more. Unusually wasteful in front of goal, the best player in the world had a night to forget.
Barcelona 0 Juventus 0 player ratings Luis Suarez – 5 out of 10 Uncharacteristically quiet. Chiellini successfully shackled his old foe.
Barcelona 0 Juventus 0 player ratings Neymar – 8 out of 10 Barcelona’s best performer, the player most likely to make things happen, but appeared to let his frustration with the officials get the better of him at times.
Barcelona 0 Juventus 0 player ratings Gianluigi Buffon – 6 out of 10 Lucky not to be punished by Messi when he failed to collect a corner. Otherwise, was his usual dependable self.
Barcelona 0 Juventus 0 player ratings Dani Alves – 7 out of 10 His defensive capabilities were doubted in his final days at the Nou Camp, but showed he can still be relied upon here.
Barcelona 0 Juventus 0 player ratings Leonardo Bonucci – 9 out of 10 Chiellini’s equal. Put himself between almost every Barcelona effort and his goal.
Barcelona 0 Juventus 0 player ratings Giorgio Chiellini – 9 out of 10 There is perhaps no other current defender you would want in your side when protecting a three goal lead at the Nou Camp. Predictably excellent.
Barcelona 0 Juventus 0 player ratings Alex Sandro – 6 out of 10 Weakest member of Juventus’ stubborn backline, but still a creditable display. Owes Khedira after the midfielder bailed him out of a failed attempt to nutmeg Suarez.
Barcelona 0 Juventus 0 player ratings Sami Khedira – 7 out of 10 Good defensively, but made the wrong decision while in possession on several occasions when his team were countering.
Barcelona 0 Juventus 0 player ratings Miralem Pjanic – 9 out of 10 Hardly put a foot wrong throughout. Known for his creativity, but put a shift in when his side needed him here.
Barcelona 0 Juventus 0 player ratings Juan Cuadrado – 7 out of 10 Full of running and energy, posed a constant threat down Juventus’ right, but his team-mates failed to make enough use of him.
Barcelona 0 Juventus 0 player ratings Paulo Dybala – 6 out of 10 Did not sparkle like in the first leg but did not have to. Contributed to his side’s dogged rearguard effort.
Barcelona 0 Juventus 0 player ratings Mario Mandzukic – 6 out of 10 Has adapted well to his new left-midfield role, chipping in defensively when required.
Barcelona 0 Juventus 0 player ratings Gonzalo Higuain – 6 out of 10 Had the chance to steal an unlikely lead for the visitors on the half volley early on but fired high.
When asked what he said by beIN Sports, the Qatari television network, Alves revealed: “I told him that that’s life, we had to face each other.
“I did not want to measure myself just on this, we have experienced these moments together and now we experience them apart so it is hard.
“We have to focus on our jobs, but the feeling is there,” he added.
The Brazilian lifted three European Cups during his time at the Nou Camp and could win his fourth this season, with his new club in the hat for this year’s semi-final draw.
Juventus could face either Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid or Monaco in the last four, with the ties to be decided in Nyon on Friday.
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