With Barcelona and Bayern Munich having already secured two out of the four spots in this year's Champions League, Juventus will certainly like to make Italian football proud by joining them. The Bianconeri last featured in the semi-finals in during the 2002/2003 edition and are desperate to re-establish themselves among Europe's elite after dominating in Italy for several seasons, as evergreen captain Gigi Buffon noted in his pre-match press conference:
.@gianluigibuffon: "It's a very important game for the club as a whole and the chance to show we're back among Europe's finest." #UCL
— JuventusFC (@juventusfcen) April 21, 2015
Still, although they are holding a slim 1-0 lead, Massimiliano Allegri's men will still have to be on top of their game as Monaco, widely viewed as underdogs in this competition are not down and out just yet. The last time the two sides met at the home base of les Rouges et Blancs, the match concluded as a 3-2 loss for the Italians.
And whilst they were able to progress 6-4 on aggregate in that 1998 semi-final, they will surely want to give themselves some breathing room by finding a goal (or two) at the Stade Louis II.
Monaco have stumbled in recent times, including a 1-1 draw to Rennes this past weekend. Yet although this means that they have failed to win their last three home games, coach Leonardo Jardim is nonetheless hoping that this same ground can act as a 12th man:
L.Jardim : « Le stade comble sera un facteur supplémentaire de motivation. » #ASMJUV pic.twitter.com/DFw3VKDCJA
— AS MONACO (@AS_Monaco) April 21, 2015
"The packed stadium will serve as an additional motivating factor"
Despite having a goal disadvantage, Monaco have a good record at home when it comes to Italian opposition. The last - and only loss to date - was against Inter back in the 1963/1964 European Cup, in which the Nerazzurri defeated them 3-1. Since then they have won three and drawn one, but will have to show some of that same tactical nous and verve displayed against Arsenal at the Emirates if they wish to be Ligue 1's only representative in the last four.
Yet, whilst recognizing the quality of their opponents, Monaco nonetheless feel they have plenty of hunger and ambition of their own to outclass the reigning Scudetto champions:
.@aymen_abdennour : "On est une équipe jeune mais avec beaucoup d’ambition. On veut faire un grand match." #ASMJUV pic.twitter.com/l9EuMT7IQ6
— AS MONACO (@AS_Monaco) April 21, 2015
"We are a young team, but we have a lot of ambition...[and] we want to play a great game"
Jardim was not left feeling impressed with his team's performance against Rennes but interestingly feels they are an entirely different squad in continental affairs:
L.Jardim : « En @ChampionsLeague , on joue différemment qu’en championnat. » #ASMJUV pic.twitter.com/J3wi1d7HEv
— AS MONACO (@AS_Monaco) April 21, 2015
"We play differently in the Champions League than we do in the league"
However, fans will certainly hope to see more of that side against la Vecchia Signora, who ended high-flying Lazio's impressive eight-match unbeaten streak and are cruising along unchallenged at the top of Serie A.
As has been the case at various points this season, Allegri will have to make do without a host of personnel, including Paul Pogba, Kwadwo Asamoah, and Martin Caceres.
And although star midfielder Arturo Vidal - whose spot kick decided the first leg - has been suffering from tonsillitis, his manager helped to calm Bianconeri fans' worries about the Chilean's availability:
.@OfficialAllegri: "@kingarturo23 oggi si è allenato con la squadra, è a disposizione" #MonacoJuve
— JuventusFC (@juventusfc) April 21, 2015
"Today [Vidal] trained with the squad, [so] he is ready"
Yet, despite holding a slim advantage, Patrice Evra, who plied his trade for Monaco from 2002 to 2006, has warned his current teammates not to underestimate last season's Ligue 1 runners-up.
"I was not surprised by Monaco's [performance] in the first leg," the former Manchester United man noted post his team's win last week.
"When they won against Arsenal I was really proud of them...they were fearless. But [in] the return leg, it will be different and we can take control of the game."
Both teams will be fighting to be their country's sole representative in the final four. Will it be Juventus or Monaco after 90 minutes as France prepares to welcome Italy?
You will have to tune in to discover the result!
Monaco vs Juventus team sheets
Monaco's Starting XI: Subašić,Fabinho, Kurzawa, Abdennour, Raggi, João Moutinho,Bernardo Silva, Kondogbia, Toulalan, Ferreira-Carrasco, Martial
Juventus' Starting XI: Buffon, Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini, Lichtsteiner, Vidal, Pirlo, Marchisio, Evra, Tevez, Morata.
Monaco's bench: Stekelenburg, Wallace, Elderson, Dirar, M. Carvalho, Berbatov, Germain.
Juventus' bench: Storari, Ogbonna, Padoin, Pereyra, Sturaro, Llorente, Matri.
Match details, result and original broadcast info
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