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
82 min: Falcao takes the ball to chest from six yards out from Buffon's net but, with his back turned to goal, his options are limited. He attempts to flick it up in anticipation of an overhead kick but he struggles to keep the ball under control and is quickly smothered by the Italian defence. Juve goal-kick.
87 min: Monaco prodding and testing, but they're struggling to find a way through as yet another attack comes to nothing.
87 min: Hold on, Monaco free-kick 10 or so yards out from the visitors' box. Could there be a goal on the cards here?
88 min: To answer my previous question, no. It's fizzed across the mouth of the goal but no-one gets a foot to it and the ball ends up rolling out for a goal-kick.
90 min: A late Monaco corner, a goal-mouth scramble, but once again the home side fall short. Three minutes on the clock.
FULL TIME: Monaco 0-2 Juventus
And that's it. Game over. Job done. Kudos to the Old Lady.
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