UEFA Champions League
Semifinal, first leg
Wednesday 3 May 2017
Stade Louis II, Monaco
Monaco 0- 2 Juventus
(Higuain 29’ 59’)
Juventus have taken a major step toward the final of the UEFA Champions League after easing to a 2-0 win away to Monaco at Stade Louis II on Wednesday.
Monaco's forward Radamel Falcao fights for the ball against Juventus' defender Giorgio Chiellini[/caption]
The semifinal, first leg clash in the Principality saw the ‘Old Lady’ outclass their hosts, whose attacking enthusiasm and energy was stymied by the defensive nous of Andrea Barzagli, Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini.
Juve have now gone five successive matches in the knockout stages without conceding a goal and their watertight defence is providing a powerful foundation in their push to become European champions for the first time in more than two decades.
Gonzalo Higuain of Juventus celebrates scoring his sides second goal during the UEFA Champions League Semi Final[/caption]
Yet their attack does not lack for potency, as proven by Argentine striker Gonzalo Higuain. He scored his 30
th and 31
st goals of the season to see Juve take a 2-0 lead to the return game in Turin last week. Both were scored after superb assists from Brazilian wingback Dani Alves.
With Monaco needing to score at least two goals in the return leg against a team which has conceded just twice all tournament, it’s a safe bet Max Allegri’s Juventus will be in the final on June 3 in Cardiff.
Monaco's French forward Kylian Mbappe clearly upset after the UEFA Champions League semi-final loss to Juventus[/caption]
Their opponents are set to be defending champions Real Madrid, who lead 3-0 after their first leg against rivals Atletico Madrid. Should Real and Juve both advance as expected, it will be their second meeting in the final - the first in 1997/98 saw the Spanish side claim a 1-0 victory.