Juventus full-back Dani Alves admits facing Barcelona at Camp Nou was “painful” but insists “you have to leave feelings aside”.
Alves returned to Camp Nou for the first time as an opponent on Wednesday and consoled former Barca teammate Neymar after the final whistle as Juve held out for a 0-0 draw to eliminate the Blaugrana and reach the Champions League semi-finals.
“It was tough, but I am happy for the club and my teammates,” he told reporters.
“This night does give me a bittersweet feeling, because coming here brings back so many good memories from my time in this stadium and to see your friends sad is an odd sensation.
“It’s painful, but this is part of our profession.
“Neymar? I told him that this is football, that’s just the way it is.
“I already told him that I didn’t want to take on Barcelona for all that we had gone through together, but that in these situations you have to leave feelings aside.
“Everyone defended their club colours and Neymar needn’t be sad.
“It’s just a defeat and he has to move on.”
