Monaco target the impregnable

Despite losing 0-2 in first leg at home, Jardim’s boys confident of a historic comeback against Juventus

AS MONACO, beaten 2-0 at home in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final against Juventus, will have to make history in Tuesday’s return if they are to end Ligue 1’s long absence from the final.

Only two teams have ever won a knockout tie in the competition after losing at home in the first leg and in both cases – Ajax Amsterdam against Panathinaikos in 1996 and Inter Milan against Bayern Munich in 2011 - they had only one goal to make up.

Monaco, who themselves were the last French side to reach the final when they lost to Jose Mourinho’s Porto in 2004, would also have to end Juve's four-year unbeaten home record in Europe and a run of six successive clean sheets in the competition.

Monaco have never won a game in Italy in seven attempts while Juve’s record against French teams will not give them much encouragement either - the Italians have won all previous 11 knockout ties against Ligue 1 opponents including Monaco themselves on two occasions.

Both teams lead their own leagues and are on the brink of winning their respective titles while Juventus have also reached the Italian Cup final, putting them on course for a treble.

Monaco coach Leonardo Jardim, whose side won 3-0 at Nancy on Saturday to close in on the Ligue 1 title, said that an early goal could change the complexion of the tie.

"We have to stay confident, try to play our game and put on a good performance and if we score at the start of the game, maybe that could change things," said Jardim.

If there is one thing which gives Jardim hope, it is Monaco's prolific scoring record this season.

They have blasted 139 goals in 55 matches in all competitions, not including the French League Cup, and have managed three or more goals in a match on 25 occasions.

Kylian Mbappe, 18 and one of the hottest properties in European football, has scored 18 goals in his last 20 competitive games, while the team features other dangerous players including resurgent Colombian forward Radamel Falcao.

Juventus forward Paulo Dybala limped off during Saturday's 1-1 draw at home to Torino, which ended his side's run of 33 consecutive home league wins, but coach Massimiliano Allegri said it was just a case of cramp. "It was normal in the circumstances and towards the end of the season," said Allegri, who warned his team not to think about any another result than a win.

"Monaco are a side with great talent and we have absolutely not yet sealed our qualification. We need to win the second leg.”

All doors open

It could be a momentous week for Juventus. assimiliano Allegri's side has a chance to return to the Champions League final and clinch an unprecedented sixth Serie A title. “First we have to recover some energy and then we will focus on Monaco,'' Allegri said after Juventus' 1-1 draw against Torino, which still left the club in position to secure the title when it visits secondplace Roma five days after the game against Monaco. “Passing the round is not a given,'' he said. “Roma comes after.'' Allegri had the luxury of resting several of his key players in the derby match and Juventus struggled at times against Torino despite playing with a numerical advantage for more than half an hour.

The Bianconeri needed a stoppage-time equalizer from substitute Gonzalo Higuain as they missed extending their league record to 34 successive home wins.

Juventus will again look to Higuain to lead its attack on Tuesday against Monaco, especially after the Argentina forward ended his negative streak with both goals in the first leg. Higuain hadn't previously scored in a Champions League knockout match since 2013. Monaco needs just one more goal to reach 150 for the season but at least two to have a chance of reaching the final. “We have to be confident against Juventus, even though it's going to be very difficult,'' coach Leonardo Jardim said. “We must keep playing good football the way we know. If we score early on, maybe that can change things.'' In order to keep youngster Mbappe as fresh as possible for the return match, Jardim named him as a substitute away to Nancy, when Monaco won 3-0 for a club-record 9th straight league win.

Rafael Nadal said the infection was not serious.