Team from principality ready to throw the dice on the European high table

Monaco is probably the most exciting team to watch in this season's Champions League, with their all-out attacking mindset. It has coincided with the arrival of Leonardo Jardim as coach in 2014. When stars such as Radamel Falcao, James Rodriguez and Anthony Martial left, Jardim had to rebuild the squad with a mix of youth and experience. Falcao returned, and with the emergence of several talented players, Monaco employed an attacking 4-4-2 formation. The team has scored as many as 146 goals in all competitions this season, nearly three per game. Falcao and teenage sensation Kylian Mbappe have combined for 52 of them. Monaco is in contention to come out of PSG'S shadow by winning the French league-champions League double. They lead the team from the capital by three points, with a game in hand.

On the Champions League stage, scoring in all but one of their 14 games, as they reached the semi-finals for the fourth time, accounting for Manchester City and Borussia Dortmund in the knockout rounds. Jardim has a task at hand as Juventus has never been knocked out by French opposition in 11 meetings in European club competitions. The striker is only 18, but shows composure that belies his age. He has found the net 24 goals in 38 matches in all competitions, and has risen to the occasion in big games. He is part of the French national squad and already being compared to Thierry Henry in terms of speed, trickery, and finishing. He will be one of the major targets for big clubs in the summer signing spree. The Colombian experienced a fallow period in England with Manchester United and Chelsea, but is back to doing what he does best, finding the back of the net which he has already done 28 times this season. Giving him the additional responsibility as captain also seems to have paid off. The 31-yearold is susceptible to injuries, but when fit he is a big threat. It remains to be seen if he stays at Monaco next season. The Brazilian midfielder is somewhat of a lucky charm for Monaco. With him on the pitch, the team has lost just once in 2017. But he has several other qualities that make him indispensable. Along with Tiemoue Bakayoko, the midfield pairing has been integral for Jardim. The skillful South American can play at various positions, including right back. Significantly, he can also find the back of the net, scoring 10 times this season.