Champions League: Juventus thrash Barcelona 3-0 in quarters

Dybala, who scored twice in the 3-0 Champions League quarter-final first-leg win over Barcelona on Tuesday, had been linked with a possible move to the Spanish champions or Real Madrid in recent weeks. "As coach, for me it's inexplicable how they were so much better than us", he said afterwards.

"We played our game and showed what we're capable of but you only have to look at the PSG match to remember that we must be careful".

The player known as the Jewel, often tipped to be Messi's natural successor, struck again 15 minutes later, meeting Manduzkic's low cross in his stride to beat Ter Stegen inside the near post with another left-foot effort. "In Barcelona we are going to have aim to score goals".

"It was a hard first half, very similar to the one in Paris and the second was much better", Luis Enrique told Mediaset.

As two months ago in Paris, Barcelona were defensively weak the whole game.

Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri again used his daring 4-2-3-1 formation, which has seen his team play some of its best soccer of the season as it utilizes all five of its star attackers.

Barcelona began to press but the Juventus defence held out and Messi's last chance saw him hit a free-kick into the wall.

As was the case against PSG, Barca had conceded three goals with less than an hour played, and their nearly comical lack of cohesion was underlined by a woefully inept attempt to play Gonzalo Higuain offside in the second half.

So far, it seems that only a miracle can help Barcelona to overturn the result of the first game.

"I'm always grateful when they talk about me and when they say these things, but I think it's a bit early", Dybala said. "Even though I am optimistic, it's natural I also pass through moments when I grieve". Juventus was superior to us in every way and I'm responsible 101 percent.