Juventus shut out Monaco to book Champions League semi-final slot

Juventus were jubilant as they saw out an intriguing stalemate with Monaco at Stade Louis II to secure safe passage to the Champions League semi-finals.

The Old Lady ground out a gritty result and, while it may not have been pretty, the Italians can look back at an excellent exercise in containing the opposition.

Hosts Monaco huffed and puffed but could not muster enough threat to blow down Juve’s bank of royal blue shirts, as Massimiliano Allegri reverted to the tried and trusty 3-5-2 formation that has seen the Old Lady enjoy so much recent success.

Monaco certainly enjoyed the best moments from the first half, though, looking every inch the home team as they dominated possession and proceedings. However, calculated Juve had a game plan and were never going to go gung-ho.

Following spot-kick controversy in Turin last time out, Monaco missed out on being awarded one in reply, after impressive Geoffrey Kondogbia found himself sandwiched between Giorgio Chiellini, earlier carded for a bizarre handball, and Arturo Vidal, in the penalty area.

It was not the first time Monaco’s midfield engine caused the Old Lady aggravation though, as the fiesty Frenchman fired his club’s first shot on target, after smoothly evading and outmuscling Andrea Pirlo.

Playmaker Pirlo, meanwhile, was quieter than usual due to Juventus’ conservative approach. The evergreen Italian was always ready to provide an outlet, though, and almost unlocked Monaco’s defence with a perfect pass in the 26th minute, forcing stopper Danijel Subasic to rush off his line.

It was Monaco’s pretender to Pirlo’s pass-master crown, Joao Moutinho, who carved out perhaps the best chance of the game. The Portuguese effortlessly instigated intricate play before slipping compatriot Bernardo Silva through on goal, but centre back Andrea Barzagli’s lucky touch sent the wingman’s shot just wide.

That early chance summed up the French principality club’s evening, as they repeatedly failed to find a cutting edge, and the Old Lady remained relatively unruffled.