Barcelona to target Juventus hot-shots Higuain and Dybala in Champions League clash

Barcelona must try to stop prolific Juventus pair Gonzalo Higuain and Paulo Dybala when the sides meet in a mouthwatering Champions League quarter-final first leg on Tuesday, admits defender Javier Mascherano.

Juventus meet Barcelona for the first time since the 2015 final, when an early Ivan Rakitic strike left Massimiliano Allegri’s men with a mountain to climb before they succumbed 3-1 in Berlin.

Almost two years on Juventus are much changed but veteran goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon believes they are “more clinical” now thanks to their attacking stars.

Ex-Real Madrid man Higuain hit his second brace inside a week in a 2-0 win at home to Chievo on Saturday, when Dybala was involved in both goals, to take his league tally for the season to 21 and keep Juve on course for a record sixth consecutive Serie A title.

Days earlier, Higuain struck twice against old club Napoli in the Italian Cup as Juve set up a final against Lazio.

“They’re both great players, I know their qualities and it’s obvious we have to pay special attention to them,” Mascherano said of his Argentina teammates.