Monaco 0-2 Juventus Champions League 2017: Alves, Higuain, match report, goals, action
Gonzalo Higuain scored in either half to give Juventus a 2-0 lead to bring back to Juventus in a week's time as Monaco drew a blank in the semi-final first leg.
Monaco 0-2 Juventus: match report
Gonzalo Higuain was the hero, and Dani Alves a close second in the contest as Juventus took care of business in Monaco to ensure they go back to Turin with a two goal advantage for the second leg in six days time.
Juventus started far better than their hosts and had chances with Higuain looking off the pace and like it wasn't going to be his night. We might not be used to seeing Juventus dominating possession but they looked comfortable until Monaco worked their way into the game.
Kylian Mbappe, the teenage sensation, looked dangerous and was causing problems for Barzagli in particular, without every creating any clear-cut chances. He had one at the end of the first half that he turned towards goal but that was based on his own creation as opposed to it being a proper chance.
Juventus take the lead
After a couple of close calls for Juventus, Gonzalo Higuain eventually took advantage when he linked with Dani Alves after a lovely flick on by Dybala to open up the field to him. After Alves backheeled it to the Argentine, he made no mistake before running off the field and up to Juventus fans in sheer delight. There was more to come though.
Monaco started the second half at a blistering pace and had a number of more close calls. Juventus were operating with their bend-but-don't-break philosophy at the back and were looking more comfortable the more Monaco attacked them, if that is possible.
Higuain at the double
Bakayoko coughed up possession under pressure from Dybala and Alves and Dybala passed it to Alves only for the Brazilian to place it on a six-pence for Juventus' striker. He slid in and slotted home. Juventus were on cloud nine and knew they just had to close it out. It just so happens that this is where their expertise lays.
Monaco tried everything but were ground down by Juventus as they failed to let them in for that elusive goal. They had two chances at the end from frees. One that whizzed straight across the goal and another that Germain saw saved by Buffon.
Monaco still have a chance but going to Turin in search of two goals is a dangerous territory for even the most potent attacks in Europe.