Here's a look at seven deadly stats from the first leg of the Champions League semi-final between Monaco and Juventus.
Monaco vs Juventus was billed as a clash of contrasting styles. Monaco’s free-flowing attack against Juventus’ imperious defence, Monaco’s young guns against Juventus’ experienced old hands – defined perfectly, it seemed, by 18-year-old Kylian Mbappe facing 39-year-old Gianluigi Buffon.
In the end, Juventus’ defensive solidity and experience did the job in a classic away win, taking a 2-0 lead back to Turin.
Monaco did have their moments, a fact that could give them some hope ahead of the second leg, but scoring three times against this Juventus defence will be a tall older. Juve are well and truly in command of this tie.
MONACO START BETTER THAN BARCA
Especially Kylian Mbappe. Gianluigi Buffon was twice called into action early in the game to deny Mbappe another headline-grabbing moment.
Those two saves were more than Buffon had to make from Luis Suarez and Neymar in the previous round – combined across two legs.
Mbappe crossed his more illustrious attackers’ mark in just over a quarter of an hour.
JUVE HAVE A FREE-FLOWING ATTACK, TOO
Monaco weren’t the only team who brought a free-flowing attack on Wednesday.
It was tempting to think, “classic Juventus”, when they opened the scoring after absorbing Monaco’s opening burst.
But while it was a goal straight out of the Italian template, it was also the result of some excellent attacking play – there were 10 passes in the move that led to Gonzalo Higuain sweeping home, including a brilliant back-heel assist from Dani Alves.
DYBALA BAMBOOZLES MONACO
It was a battle of the young stars as Monaco’s Kylian Mbappe took the field against Juventus’ Paulo Dybala. The duo are among two of the most hyped youngsters in Europe, so their duel was a tantalising prospect for most observers.
Dybala is five years older than his counterpart, and made that extra bit of polish to his game count.
Monaco’s defence couldn’t handle the young Argentinian, who led the way in a half that saw Juventus complete all of their take-on attempts.
JUVENTUS CONTAIN MBAPPE THREAT
After the opening burst which saw the 18-year-old draw two saves from Gianluigi Buffon, Kylian Mbappe was largely neutralised by the Juventus defence.
While he looked menacing, and there was an air of expectancy around the stadium whenever he was on the ball, the stats told a different story.
He had just 13 touches in the first half – the same number Antoine Griezmann had in the first half on Tuesday against Real Madrid – while attempting only two passes, completing one. Mbappe also gave the ball away six times.
HIGUAIN SHOWS UP WHEN IT COUNTS
There has been a tendency to label Gonzalo Higuain as one of those “nearly” players – a player of obvious quality who goes missing on the big stage.
Not tonight.
After ending a seven-game scoring drought in the Champions League knockout stages with his first-half goal, he soon added another to all but kill the tie.
DANI ALVES, PULLING THE STRINGS
Dani Alves has always been known more for his attacking flair than his defensive ability, which is why there were some doubts about whether he truly was the ideal right-back for Juventus.
After his performances in the Champions League so far this season, there should be no doubt. Alves has certainly not been a defensive liability for his team.
More importantly, going forward, he’s doing better than all of Juve’s attacking players at creating chances. Alves assisted both of Higuain’s goals on the night.
JUVENTUS DEFENCE HITS NEW HIGH
By now, evidence of this Juventus’ defence’s solidity should not come as a surprise. But even by their high standards, a sixth straight clean sheet in the Champions League is a mighty feat.
Monaco hadn’t failed to score at home for 41 straight games – as far back as November 2015 – going into Wednesday night’s clash. Then they came up against the Juventus wall.
Juve have still conceded just two goals across the entire Champions League campaign. Monaco somehow need to find three to reach the Champions League final.
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