Juventus will be looking to secure a place in the Champions League final when they host Monaco in the second leg of their semi-final. Join The Roar from 4:45am (AEST) for live scores and commentary.
Serie A leaders Juventus will enter the second-leg of the semi-final against Monaco with a strong two away-goal advantage.
Gonzalo Higuain scored both goals at the Stade Louis II.
Rampant in the Serie A and unbeaten in their past 18 Champions League home games, Juventus have been a dominant force in global football during their 2016-17 campaign.
The Italian powerhouse hasn’t lost a single game in this Champions League competition, and have conceded the fewest number of goals.
All eyes will be on Gianluigi Buffon. Widely recognised as one of the greatest goalkeepers of all time, he has never won a Champions League but has an excellent chance to do just that this year.
Monaco have yet another mountain to climb when they enter Juventus Stadium in Torino; the French side need to win by at least two to cancel out the away-goal deficit.
Monaco currently sit atop the Ligue 1 table three points clear of second-placed Paris Saint-Germain with a game in hand.
Despite not being as big as some of their French rivals, Monaco’s fourth semi-finals appearance puts them in their own category in European competition. No other side from the country has made the top four more than once.
Monaco also have some unwanted history heading into the match; they have lost both of their previous games away from home against Juventus. In fact, Juventus have never lost to French opposition at home in European competiton.
Prediction
Juventus are arguably the best-balanced side in the world, with strength and depth all over the pitch. Furthermore, they seem to be unstoppable at home. It would take something huge for Monaco to progress from the position they are in.
Juventus 2 – 0 Monaco
rdonow
Guest
Awesome. I've checked out the Juventus forum and their fans are very confident that they can beat Real Madrid in the final. Unless Atletico creates a miracle we will have the pleasure to watch the best defense on the planet against one of the two best attacking sides. Juventus has conceded just 3 goals in this Champions League season and never more than one in a match. Goal difference: 21-3 in 12 matches. Real Madrid: 31-15 in 11 matches. Can't wait ;)
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
Thank you to everyone who joined The Roar for this blog, we look forward to seeing you all again soon! Tune in tomorrow at the same time (4:45am AEST) for the the second leg of the second semi-final, as Atletico Madrid attempt to make an incredible comeback against Real Madrid
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
FULL TIME: Juventus 2 (4) - (1) AS Monaco
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
90+4' - Juventus clear the corner, anywhere will do, and the referee blows for full time! Juventus have booked a spot in the UEFA Champions League final! JUVENTUS 2 (4) – (1) 1 AS MONACO
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
90+3' - Monaco have a corner, one last roll of the dice to get a result in the second leg JUVENTUS 2 (4) – (1) 1 AS MONACO
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
90+3' - Subasic does well to come out and stop the danger from the ball in the box JUVENTUS 2 (4) – (1) 1 AS MONACO
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
90+2' - Mandzukic gets a yellow card. He seems to have really lost his temper, and the Croatian is even having a bit of a tussle with a team mate JUVENTUS 2 (4) – (1) 1 AS MONACO
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
90+1' - Three minutes of time to be added on JUVENTUS 2 (4) – (1) 1 AS MONACO
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
90' - The corner is cleared but Juventus get right back on the attack JUVENTUS 2 (4) – (1) 1 AS MONACO
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
89' - Pjanic's free kick takes a deflection and goes out for a corner JUVENTUS 2 (4) – (1) 1 AS MONACO
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
89' - Juventus win a free kick in a very dangerous area JUVENTUS 2 (4) – (1) 1 AS MONACO
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
88' - Mandzukic wants a corner but the referee gives a goal kick. He is not happy about the call. Juventus fans singing, their flags are waving JUVENTUS 2 (4) – (1) 1 AS MONACO
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
85' - Some of the tempers seem to be flaring, while others are on good terms. It doesn't matter now, time is pretty much up, and Juventus are almost officially in the final JUVENTUS 2 (4) – (1) 1 AS MONACO
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
83' - Juventus win a free kick from a dangerous area, they can put a good ball into the box JUVENTUS 2 (4) – (1) 1 AS MONACO
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
82' - Higuain was ruled offside anyways, so it would not have counted JUVENTUS 2 (4) – (1) 1 AS MONACO
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
81' - Higuain looks for the spectacular bicycle kick in the box but he completely mishits the ball and it goes wide JUVENTUS 2 (4) – (1) 1 AS MONACO
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
78' - When Juventus get the ball they are taking their time, running down the clock. They are moments away from being in the final, but they really want to win this game at home as well JUVENTUS 2 (4) – (1) 1 AS MONACO
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
75' - Once again, the intensity of the game has risen, as it looks like Monaco have started to play for pride if nothing else JUVENTUS 2 (4) – (1) 1 AS MONACO
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
73' - Bonucci gets a yellow card for a overreaction, Higuain is down and Monaco have a penalty claim denied in the box after playing on much to the disdain of the Juventus fans. A wild minute JUVENTUS 2 (4) – (1) 1 AS MONACO
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
72' - Monaco get right back on the attack and win a corner JUVENTUS 2 (4) – (1) 1 AS MONACO