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Barcelona manager Luis Enrique admits it will be difficult for his side to pull off another great escape after they again suffered a heavy first-leg defeat in the Champions League, this time at the hands of Juventus.
Having overcome a 4-0 first-leg deficit against Paris St Germain in the previous round with a 6-1 win at home, Barcelona contrived to lose 3-0 at Juventus in their quarter-final first leg in Turin.
"This time, it's more difficult to believe in a comeback," Enrique said.
"It was like reliving a nightmare ... I can't get the first half out of my head."
Paulo Dybala scored twice to put Juventus 2-0 ahead inside 22 minutes and defender Giorgio Chiellini headed in the third early in the second half in a rousing performance by the Italians.
"It's difficult to pull off another turnaround like the one against Paris St Germain, although on the other hand I also thought it was unlikely that we could lose again like we did against the French team," Enrique said.
"It was a very difficult first half, very similar to the one in Paris, and although we improved after half-time, the first half was full of problems.
"It's difficult for a coach to try and do everything right for the team and then realise that he hasn't succeeded.
"I don't really want to think about it now. Tomorrow will be the time to get up again and think that we have to score three goals to level the tie and four to win it."
Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri wants to make sure his team does not get carried away with one of their best performances under his leadership.
"We have to put some brakes on our enthusiasm," he said.
"Of course, the lads have produced a great performance, both in attack and in defence.
"But it's just the first step. In Barcelona, it will be different and we have to try and score a goal."
Reuters
Topics: soccer, italy-soccer, sport, italy, spain