Two goals from Gonzalo Higuain could have killed the Champions League semi-final tie between Monaco and Juventus, with the away side once again putting on a defensive masterclass on their European travels.
Kylian Mbappe and company were just unable to put the finishing touches to a few very good chances in the second half, leaving Leonardo Jardim’s men with a lot to do when they visit Turin next week with hopes of turning the aggregate scoreline around.
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Massimiliano Allegri’s system proved to frustrate the home side, though some heroic goalkeeping from elder statesman Gianluigi Buffon was required to ensure that the Bianconeri had a clean sheet to take back to Italy with them ahead of the second leg.
Monaco failed to score for just the second time in their last 32 competitive games, losing at Stade Louis II for the first time since December. Quite the night for Juventus, who will be full of confidence heading into the second leg very soon.
Here are the player ratings for the home team:
Monaco
Danijel Subasic - 6
Made a couple of easy saves early in the game to deny Dani Alves and was generally quite confident when commanding his area. However, the second goal from Gonzalo Higuain could potentially have been kept out, had he spread himself differently.
Nabil Dirar - 7
Whipped in some really delicious crosses from the right-hand side for the home team, with it a travesty that the make-shift right-back didn’t manage to come away from the game with two or maybe even three assists. Defensively, he struggled a little more against Alex Sandro.
Kamil Glik - 6
Battled well with Mario Mandzukic throughout the game, and didn’t allow either of Juventus’ strikers to have a great deal of influence in build-up play. Strong in the air and was a real presence in both penalty areas for set pieces.
Jemerson - 5
Wasn’t afraid to get forward as Monaco desperately tried to find a way back into the tie on Wednesday evening, but did struggle at times to react well to the quick thinking of the likes of Higuain and Paulo Dybala.
Djibril Sidibe - 5
Struggled to offer too much offensively on the left-hand side, due to him being naturally a right-sided player. Benjamin Mendy was a huge miss for Monaco, that much was clear. Struggled to deal with Dani Alves on the break.
Bernardo Silva - 6
Did show his technical ability in flashes on the break, and almost had a good chance to test Buffon late on when laid through on goal by Joao Moutinho. Due to Juventus’ system and congested final third, however, he struggled to make a telling impact.
Tiemoue Bakayoko - 4
Rushed back into the first-team picture after breaking his nose, with the French midfielder forced to wear a protective mask for his troubles. Struggled to really get on the ball or offer any kind of drive in midfield and was rightfully the first man to be subbed off for the hosts.
Fabinho - 5
Did show real composure and confidence in the centre of midfield at times, but also gave the ball away in some dangerous areas too. Not the best performance from the Brazilian utility man, who didn’t manage to offer much in the way of deep-lying incisiveness.
Thomas Lemar - 5
His set-piece deliveries caused a few problems, but after a bright spell in the first half down the left-hand side, the French midfielder faded quite badly and was replaced heading into the last 20 minutes of normal time as a result.
Kylian Mbappe - 6
Caused a lot of problems for the likes of Leonardo Bonucci and Andrea Barzagli in the first half, even forcing Buffon into a brilliant save, but the second half was much tougher for him to find space in due to Juventus sitting back and shutting up shop.
Radamel Falcao - 5
Worked hard up front and definitely crafted some opportunities for both himself and others, but the lack of finishing touch from the Colombian striker was telling. He spurned a few excellent opportunities to get Monaco back into the tie.
Substitutes
Joao Moutinho - 5
Provided one inventive through ball to Bernardo Silva late on, and tried to move the ball with urgency, but Juventus’ deep-lying nature made life tough for him.
Valere Germain - 6
Figured as an extra attacker in the dying stages for Monaco, with a close-range header from the Frenchman being vitally tipped over the crossbar by Buffon. So nearly a hero to give his side some hope heading into next week.
Almamy Toure - 5
Whipped in one dangerous cross from the right-hand side near the end, but Chiellini was able to deal with it expertly. Didn't get much of the ball to cause too many issues for the away side.
Juventus
Gianluigi Buffon - 8
Commanded his penalty area brilliantly and was equal to absolutely everything that Monaco had to throw at him. Whether it was Mbappe, quick through balls in behind or Germain’s late close-range header.
Andrea Barzagli - 7
Did struggle to deal with the pace and trickery of Mbappe at times, but the experienced defender used all of his knowledge to ensure that those moments were fleeting. Strong in the air and was very disciplined.
Leonardo Bonucci - 7
Covered across for both of his fellow central defenders when required to, and was strong in the air. Was unfortunate, perhaps, to not play a bigger role up at the other end from Juventus set pieces.
Giorgio Chiellini - 7
Made a number of very good clearances towards the end, when Monaco were really knocking on the door and searching for the goal that would get them back into it. Fortunate to not see a second yellow for an untidy tackle on Germain when already booked.
Dani Alves - 9
The Brazilian wing-back provided two assists for Higuain on the night, with the second being a beautifully weighted cross to the back post from the right-hand side. Very strong defensively, too, with even Mbappe struggling to get the better of him.
Miralem Pjanic - 8
A complete performance from the Bosnian midfielder, who was organised and disciplined when he needed to be, but was also very technically capable and composed when in possession. Helped instil calmness into the visitors’ play.
Claudio Marchisio - 7
Saw a good effort saved well by Subasic in the second half, but spent more of his efforts on keeping the midfield battle skewed in the away side’s favour. Neat on the ball and moved it quickly, but slowed the tempo when Juventus were already ahead.
Alex Sandro - 7
Offered plenty of width on the left-hand side and asked Dirar a lot of questions defensively in the first half. After the break, he was much more reserved and played solidly while defending his own penalty area.
Paulo Dybala - 8
Offered a lot of lovely touches for the visitors, with his combination play with Dani Alves vital in the build-up to both of Juventus’ goals. The Argentina international was always exciting and looking to play the balls required to help the Bianconeri counter dangerously.
Mario Mandzukic - 7
Worked very hard to track back and help defend, as well as providing a lot of knock-downs for his forward line to prey off. Battled well with Glik and provided a competitive edge to his side’s play.
Gonzalo Higuain - 9
Didn’t look to be particularly sharp in the opening stages of the game and missed a great chance, but made up for his error by firing home two away goals which appear to have all-but-sealed Juventus’ place in the Champions League final.
Substitutes
Juan Cuadrado - 6
Offered pace and an outlet down the right-hand side to run the ball downfield when required, as Juventus had chosen to sit deep and absorb quite a lot of Monaco pressure.
Tomas Rincon - 6
Filled in for Marchisio in the centre of the Juventus midfield, but didn’t offer a great deal. Fresh legs when the away side needed to close out the result and he did his job well.
Mario Lemina - 6
Only given the last few minutes at Stade Louis II, similarly just slotting in to help run down the clock and add some more energy into an efficient Bianconeri unit.
