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Monaco vs Juventus as it happened: Gonzalo Higuain double puts Old Lady in control
Re-live the Champions League semi-final at the Stade Louis II
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Your support makes all the difference.Monaco entertain Juventus in this week's second Champions League semi-final first leg, with Leonardo Jardim's unstoppable attacking force hoping to progress past Max Allegri's immovable object.
- Juventus reaching Champions League final is 'logical conclusion', claims Gianluigi Buffon
- Jose Mourinho wants to sign Monaco's Bernardo Silva for Manchester United, and it's no surprise why
- Bayern Munich preparing an end of season raid on Monaco's talented youngsters, says Lothar Matthaus
- Kylian Mbappe's uncle claims Manchester United and City both have a chance of signing Monaco star
What time does it start?
Monaco vs Juventus kicks off at 7.45pm on Wednesday 3 May.
Where can I watch it?
The match will be shown live on BT Sport 2 from 7.00pm.
Highlights will be shown on BT Sport 3 at 1.00am on Thursday 4 May.
Preview
Monaco and Juventus sit at the top of their respective leagues and will compete in an intriguing semi-final fixture. Juventus gained plaudits for a defensive masterclass in the last round, when they defended a 3-0 lead at Barcelona’s Camp Nou to shut out the Spanish side. Monaco have become renowned for their ability to score goals but have, at times, looked vulnerable in defence; making for an exciting tie.
A tight encounter between the sides in 2015 saw Juventus run out 1-0 aggregate winners, who went on to lose the final to Barcelona. Both teams have strengthened considerably since, evidenced by impressive performances throughout this campaign, with managers Allegri and Jardim being afforded time and resources to build on their squads.
The youth and fluidity of Monaco pit against the experience and nous of Juventus will be interesting to watch and both sides are able to field strong sides, with only Tiemoue Bakayoko unavailable for Monaco after breaking his nose in training, while Rugani (knee injury) and Khedira, serving a one-game suspension, will miss out for Juventus.
It’s a big game for…
Gonzalo Higuain. The forward has only scored two goals in 21 European knockout matches. Despite the Argentinian’s unquestionable ability, questions have resurfaced over his ability to perform under pressure due to poor performances in big games with Argentina as well as at club level. He will be keen to prove his doubters wrong at the Stade Louis II.
Best stat
Monaco's average squad age is 25.3, compared to Juventus’ 28.2: the youngest and oldest squads remaining in the competition respectively.
Remember when…
Juventus knocked out Monaco in a high scoring fixture in the 1997/98 Champions League semi-final, which finished 6-4 on aggregate. Zidane and Del Piero were the scorers in an emphatic first leg victory in Turin, allowing them to lose but still progress in the return fixture.
Player to watch
Bernardo Silva. While Kylian Mbappe is stealing the headlines at the moment, it is Silva who pulls the strings in midfield and makes things happen for the forwards, who have been in remarkable form this season. Silva has popped up at crucial moments throughout Monaco’s season and is said to be on the radar of numerous clubs this summer.
Past three-meetings
Monaco 0 Juventus 0
Champions League, May 2015
Juventus 1 Monaco 0
Champions League, April 2015
Monaco 3 Juventus 2
Champions League, April 1998
Form guide…
Juventus: DWDWW
Monaco: WWWLW
Odds
Provided by 888 Sport
Juventus to win: 11/8
Monaco to win: 39/19
Draw: 27/11
25 min: Juventus corner, which Pjanic delivers from the left. Chiellini flicks it on to Higuain near the far post but, under considerable pressure from Sidibe, he struggles to land his volleyed attempt on target. Instead, his shot ends up flying back across the face of the goal before being booted clear.
GOAL! Monaco 0-1 Juventus (Higuain, 29 min):
What. A. Goal. That's got to be one of the great team goals of the tournament. Juventus snatched back possession deep from inside their own half before working the ball to Higuain on the half-way line. Springing into action, he surged forward and then played Dani Alves down the right flank with a cutting, well-weighted pass along the deck. The defender cut inwards towards the goal, turned his back to goal when confronted by the Monaco defence and, with the cheekiest of back heels, set up the incoming Higuain. With one stroke of his right foot, he picked out the bottom left-hand corner. Utterly sublime.
32 min: Nobody saw that goal coming, not least of all Monaco who are currently attempting to settle themselves. They're awarded a free-kick just inside Juventus' own half and opt to pump it forward into the visitors' penalty area. It's overhit, though, and runs out for a goal-kick on the right.
37 min: Fabinho is shown yellow for catching Pjanic late a few yards out from the Monaco penalty area. This is in a dangerous area and is currently being eyed up by Dybala...
38 min: He gets it past the wall and picks out the bottom right-hand corner with a curling effort, but Subasic is quick to shuffle to his left and easily claims the ball with two hands.
40 min: The Monaco frontline intercept a wild, crossfield ball from the left and immediately set about charging forward. It's eventually worked to Mbappe inside the Juventus box who attempts to swing the ball towards the edge of the six-yard box with the outside of his boot. A goal mouth scramble ensues after Chiellini had failed to clear the ball but the Italian defence is quick to snuff out the danger, swarming Mbappe who moved to pick up the scraps.
44 min: Bakayoko tries his luck with an audacious 30-yard shot but it takes a deflection on its way towards the goal and ends up landing favourably near Buffon's right-hand side post. Monaco running out of ideas? Things are certainly starting to look a bit more laboured from the home side. Nonetheless, we've got one whole half of football still to come. Anything can happen.
HALF TIME: Monaco 0-1 Juventus
Juventus head into half time on top with a goal that certainly came against the run of play. Since Higuain's opener, however, the Italians have settled into the game with Monaco's chances subsiding after Mbappe's early attempts on goal. Still, it's all to play for. Bring on the second half.
Recap of that goal...
Juventus' goal was a thing of beauty and one that showcased the collective class of the side. Put simply, this was one of the best team goals of the season. After breaking up play inside their own half, the Italians methodologically set about working the ball forward, with a series of flicks and quick passes helping it along the way.
It was Dani Alves, though, who provided the urgency and dynamism going forward, linking up with Gonzalo Higuain in a neat one-two inside the home side's final third before setting up the Argentine with the cheekiest of back-heels. From 10 yards out, Higuain did the rest and with one clean stroke of his right boot picked out the bottom left-hand corner. From start to finish, the Italians were clinical and purposeful in their movement and play. A fine team goal, and an important one at that.
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