Four things we learnt from Juve 2-0 away victory over Monaco
Gonzalo Higuain’s brace ensured Juventus beat Monaco at the Stade Louis II on Wednesday to put the Old Ladies in the same bracket as Real Madrid as the only clubs unbeaten teams in this season’s champions league.
With a comfortable 2-0 away victory in Monaco, Massimiliano Allegri’s side could be on their way to Cardiff but there are few things worthy of mentioning in the high profile match.
1. If you are good enough you are old enough- Kylian Mbappe is ready
Kylian Mbappe has played himself into many managers shopping list with his blistering performances both in the league and European club competitions. The 18-year-old has broken and set many records this season that has led to managers of top European clubs readying a bid for the attacker.
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Although he was unable to break the Juventus’ defence that is yet to concede a goal in the last six Champions League matches but his display yesterday was better than the impact Suarez and Neymar had over the two legs against Juventus.
His runs and ability to create space for himself caused Chiellini and Bonucci a lot of problems last night, the young man would be proud of his contribution.
2. Tiemoué Bakayoko is not ready for the next level
Just as the entire Monaco squad, Bakayoko has been linked with a high-profile move away from Stade Louis II but with the midfielder’s display yesterday, questions linger over his readiness to play for any of the top European clubs.
Bakayako would not be proud of himself after watching the replay of the match, he was the reason Juventus scored the two goals. He allowed Higuain to make the run from the midfield before tapping in Alves’ pass for the first goal, and he was the one who gifted the ball away for the second goal.
He gifted a lot of the ball away in dangerous positions, failed to block the holes, switched off, Tiemoué simply didn’t understand what he was doing on the pitch yesterday.
3. Chiellini lucky to remain on the pitch
The MBA holder Giorgio Chiellini would be happy he wasn’t sent off in the match, the Italian international got away with two different calls that should have been a straight red card.
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First his elbow intentional caught Radamal Falcao on the face the ref gave him only a yellow card and then he caught Bernardo Silva recklessly but the referee didn’t do anything.
4. Dani Alves keeps showing Barca made a great mistake
He played a great role in elimination his old club and put in a man of the match award yesterday as his side beat Monaco 2-0, Alves created both goals.
He has created 27 chances which are the highest in this season’s Champions League. He is still one of the best in his position and considering Barcelona are still looking for his replacement it is easy to say it was a mistake the let him leave.
Juventus and Real Madrid are the only unbeaten teams in this season’s Champions League.
– Juventus have kept six consecutive clean sheets in the Champions League for the first time.
– Monaco have conceded 18 goals in the Champions League this season; more than any other team among the remaining semi-finalists.
– This is Higuaín’s best ever goalscoring season in the Champions League (five goals).
– Higuain’s two doubles in the Champions League have come against two different French teams – Marseille in November 2013 and Monaco in this match.
– Gianluigi Buffon became only the second Italian player to reach 100+ Champions League appearances for a single team after Paolo Maldini (AC Milan).
– This was Monaco’s 58th game in all competitions this season; more than any other side in Europe’s big five leagues.
