Juventus beat Monaco 2-0 in the Champions League on Wednesday, May 3. Here are all the highlights from the match.
The Champions League semifinal between Monaco and Juventus was billed as attack vs. defense, but the first leg was, among other things, a timely reminder of the immense quality the Bianconeri possess up top themselves.
Massimiliano Allegri’s side dominated the ball during the opening exchanges, as Monaco looked to make use of their pace on the counter-attack. The problem was Juve gave them almost no opportunity to spring Kylian Mbappe and co. forward.
The Italian side eventually took a deserved lead in the 28th minute, after a wonderful flowing move involving Miralem Pjanic, Paulo Dybala and Dani Alves was finished off expertly by Gonzalo Higuain.
Monaco saw more of the ball after conceding, partly because Juve allowed them to have it, but struggled to create clear cut chances when faced with the back three of Giorgio Chiellini, Leonardo Bonucci and Andrea Barzagli.
The Ligue 1 side started well in the second half, and created their best chance of the game early on, but Falcao hit his shot directly at Juve keeper Gianluigi Buffon.
But just as Monaco seemed like they might find a way back into the game, the visitors put the match, and possibly the tie, beyond doubt. Higuain was the goalscorer again, this time poking in an inch-perfect Alves cross at the back post.
Monaco weren’t outclassed — a not illegitimate concern given their lack of experience at this level — but they certainly struggled against a side that were unwilling to engage in the sort of end-to-end contest they bossed against Manchester City and Borussia Dortmund in the previous rounds. Two away goals may prove to be an insurmountable deficit.
Highlights
"Dybala and Dani Alves with the flair, Higuain with the finish. Beautiful team goal from Juventus! #UCL #ASMJuve https://t.co/S4juAWdtQj— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) May 3, 2017"
"Higuain is silencing the haters tonight! His 2nd of the game has Juventus sitting pretty in the #UCL semis. #ASMJuve https://t.co/VWdwRQnrvs— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) May 3, 2017"
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The second leg will take place in Turin on Tuesday, May 9.