Monaco’s offence takes on Juventus’s defence
MONACO — An intriguing battle lies in store between arguably best the attack and the toughest defence in European soccer when Monaco faces Juventus in the first leg of their Champions League semifinal Wednesday.
Monaco has been scoring freely all season, with 146 goals so far. But coach Leonardo Jardim now faces a more difficult challenge in how to approach the game.
In the previous knockout rounds, Jardim had a specific plan to impose his style of play against both Manchester City and Borussia Dortmund — teams rich in attacking promise, but wide open at the back. So confident was he in his attacking play that Jardim even announced in pre-match news conferences what was required to go through.
Monaco’s attack has pace, skill and power, and passes the ball at thrilling speed.
But so did Barcelona’s, and the five-time champion failed to score in either leg of its quarter-final defeat against Juventus.
“We could have played all day long and they wouldn’t have scored,” Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri proudly said after that game.
Jardim may have to adapt his team to an opponent this time, rather than taking the initiative. This poses a huge test of the Portuguese coach’s tactical shrewdness, and the ability of his highly-rated forwards to break down the Juventus rearguard.
Teenage striker Kylian Mbappe has been earning rave reviews after scoring in each of the four knockout matches so far, and his partnership with Colombia striker Radamel Falcao has produced 52 goals.
But theirs is a recent partnership, and together they have not faced defenders of the calibre of Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini: a formidable centre half pairing in Italy’s national team and Juventus teammates for seven years.
Hard as nails, uncompromising, tactically astute and solid in the air — not much gets past this partnership. Barcelona’s Lionel Messi couldn’t add to his tournament-leading 11 goals against them, despite Messi netting nearly 50 goals in another prolific season.
The 30-year-old Bonucci, who joined Juventus in 2010, is more skilful than most centre halves, giving the team a precious outlet with his excellent passing from the back.
“Bonucci is more like a midfielder who was stolen to be put in defence,” Massimo Carrera, the former assistant coach of Juventus, told sports daily L’Equipe on Tuesday. “He has vision, good feet, long-range passing.”
The 32-year-old Chiellini, who has been at the club since 2005, is a rugged man-marker and far stronger in the challenge. Just ask Robin van Persie: the former Netherlands striker was left with torn ankle ligaments after one challenge from Chiellini during an international in 2009.
Playing behind Bonucci and Chiellini is Gianluigi Buffon, Italy’s 168-cap goalkeeper and arguably still the best in the world, despite being 39 years old.
Add former Barcelona live wire Dani Alves at right back, and veteran Andrea Barzagli — when the 35-year-old centre back is required — and you have an experienced and solid defence that any coach would dream about. The attack-minded Alex Sandro has meanwhile proved himself to be a reliable left back since arriving from Porto last season, and has made the position his own since Patrice Evra left to join Marseille in January.
Allegri’s side has only conceded 22 goals in 34 league matches and two in 10 Champions League games. Juventus remains on course for the treble, opening up a ninepoint lead over Roma with four games left in Serie A and reaching the Italian Cup final.
Allegri also has a prolific attack, with Gonzalo Higuain — the club’s record signing for 90 million euros ($100 million) — and Paulo Dybala. Dybala netted two fine goals against Barcelona, while the presence of muscular Croatian forward Mario Mandzukic will give Monaco’s vulnerable defence nightmares, considering its weakness on set pieces.