Juventus Turin took a big step towards booking themselves a place in the Champions League final by defeating AS Monaco, who eliminated Dortmund last round, by a score of 2-0. They were without the presence of suspended world champion Sami Khedira, but Argentinean Gonzalo Higuain’s brace (29’, 59’) put the Italian record champions in a good position for the next leg (Tuesday, 20:45 CEST).
Juve are looking to celebrate their third Champions League title in the history of the club by triumphing in the final, which takes place in Cardiff on the 3rd of June, having last lifted the trophy in 1996. The Bianconeri, who have only conceded two goals throughout the entirety of their Champions League campaign this season, will look to win their sixth consecutive Serie A title on Saturday.
The Stade Louis II’s 16,762 spectators saw their Monaco side put in a valiant performance, with inform 18-year-old striker Mbappé, who scored found the back of the net three times in two legs against BVB (3-2, 3-1), saw his effort in the 16th minute saved by Gianluigi Buffon. Soon thereafter, ‘San Gigi’ managed to keep out a Radamel Falcao header (20’).
Nine minutes later, the opening goal came down the other end of the pitch thanks to a nice link-up between Dani Alves and Higuain. The Brazilian back-heeled the ball to the on-rushing striker, who coolly slotted the ball into the bottom left corner to give his side the lead. The clinical finisher, who joined from Napoli prior to this season for a sum of 90 million Euros, then proceeded to celebrate with the 2,000 away fans who made the journey to see their side play in France.
Monaco, who emerged league champions in 2011 and 2013, failed to respond with the confidence one would expect of the current French Ligue 1 leaders. The team have scored 146 goals in all competitions, and whilst they put in a great effort against Juventus, they couldn’t find a way past the experienced Juve defense which consisted of Dani Alves (33), Leonardo Bonucci (30), Andrea Barzagli (35) and Giorgio Chiellini (32).
The second-half saw Monaco and a perseverant Mbappé determined to get a goal to take with them into the second-leg. However, Falcao (47), and Mbappé (50’) were both stopped by Buffon. Minutes later, Higuain capitalised on a world-class cross from Dani Alves: The Argentinean connected with the perfect delivery to score Juve’s 100th goal in all competitions for the season.
