Monaco vs Juventus: Match Preview and Predictions

Monaco vs Juventus
UEFA Champions League Semi Final First Leg
Date: Wednesday, 3rd May 2017
Kick-off at 19:45 UK / 20:45 CET
Venue: Stade Louis II.

Monaco reached this far in the tournament by sheet scoring prowess. Since reaching the knockout phase, they scored 3 goals in each of their four matches, while defense remains a problematic area.

On the other hand, Juventus are exactly opposite to their Ligue 1 opposition. The 0-0 draw at Camp Nou is their fifth consecutive clean sheet in the competition. All together, the Old Lady kept 8 clean sheets in 10 matches in the competition so far.

This is Monaco’s third Champions League semi-final, they only made it to the finals only once, in 2003/04 when they lost to Mourinho’s FC Porto. It was Juve, who eliminated them from this stage of the tournament in 1998.

Juve reached the finals of the Champions League on eight previous occasions and they do hold of most number of runners-up after losing in six. Their most recent appearance was in 2014–15 when they lost to Barcelona. The Old Lady were crowned champions in 1984/85 and 1995/96.

Monaco vs Juventus: Head-to-head

Four meetings between the two so far, all in the Champions League and in the knockout phase. Juve won both their home matches, while Monaco have a win and a draw at their home ground.

In the 2015 quarter final tie, a lone goal from Arturo Vidal at Turin was the difference with the second leg at Monaco ending in a goal-less stalemate.

The previous was in the 1998 semifinals which saw Juve earn a massive lead through 4-1 win in the home leg. Monaco will win the second leg 3-2, but fell short on aggregate.

Monaco vs Juventus: Prediction

Despite Juve having the history on their side, this is expected to be an even and open contest. Monaco were scoring at will and it will be hard for Juve to tie them down. Knowing this, Juve will not sit back and just defend as they did at Camp Nou. The Italians have some excellent players in their ranks. And for neutrals this will be a fiery contest. I will bank of the number of goals for this match, which is certainly against the liking of most of the bookmakers.