COMMENT: The Bianconeri's slender lead should be enough to tee up another successful passage, with the second leg likely to play into their hands
It was not all thrills and spills, and it wasn’t always convincing, but Juventus’ 1-0 first-leg victory over Monaco in the Champions League quarter-final was as satisfying as any they have chalked up in recent years. A slender lead it may be, but it feels a hell of a lot like a winning one.
After the unabated joy that the 3-0 away win over Borussia Dortmund provided in their last European fixture, this was an altogether edgier performance as Juve took their time in overcoming the principality side.
But that was always going to be the case against a reserved, contemplative Monaco outfit for whom goalscoring has often been considered more a bonus than a necessity this season. With just 46 goals in 40 games across Ligue 1 and the Champions League, Leonardo Jardim’s men are hardly bursting with potential in front of goal.
And while Massimiliano Allegri will have been somewhat concerned with the two good chances offered up to Yannick Ferreira-Carrasco in the first half and another allowed to Bernardo Silva after the break, he will know that one more goal in the second leg should be enough to take Juventus into the semi-finals.
Loading...
Whereas the previous round’s narrow home victory left a sense of nervousness in the air, with Dortmund having scored an away goal and built a historic case for not being written off, this one felt very much like the completion of the hardest part of the job.
Juve looked for a fast start, with Alvaro Morata firing over after a nice move, but were quickly rocked onto their heels when Monaco showed the capabilities on the break which had seen off Arsenal in the round of 16. After Layvin Kurzawa was given plenty of space to shoot on sight and Ferreira-Carrasco twice forced good saves out of Gianluigi Buffon, the Bianconeri realigned their expectations.
They became more considered, realising the necessity to patiently turn possession into clear chances rather than play at the higher pace which is normally their emblem. Rushed attempts to get in behind the Monegasques’ back line only resulted in the turnover of the ball.
Andrea Pirlo was not quite up to pace, but was in his element as Monaco retreated and gave him time to pick out passes. Carlos Tevez spurned a great opportunity at the far post after a wonderful build-up had allowed Claudio Marchisio to pick him out with a cross-field ball. Arturo Vidal was busy but also wasteful as he fired over late in the first half when it appeared easier to score.
He eventually did find the net after the controversial moment which defined the match. Alvaro Morata blazed through to meet a typically pinpoint Pirlo through-ball but was clipped by Ricardo Carvalho.
As the last man in a clear goal-scoring opportunity, the Portuguese should have been shown the red card but was instead booked. As if to negate the first incorrect decision, referee Pavel Kralovec also pointed to the penalty spot despite the initial impact having taken place outside the box. In fairness, at full speed, it was a close call.
Either way, Vidal’s successful spot-kick was always likely to be enough. Rather than throw everything at their opponents in the search for a killer second, Juve happily accepted the 1-0 lead and took no further chance. They know they are better than Monaco, and what’s more they are clearly convinced of revelling in the conditions the second leg will provide.
As they proved in Dortmund, the slightest sign of the game opening up can only be positive news for Juventus. They have far more firepower, look much more deadly in open space and press much more urgently than Monaco.
One-goal leads have often been proved to be insufficient at this stage of the Champions League, but this one feels very different. It will take a minor miracle to stop Juventus reaching the semi-finals now.
