THE OLD MASTERS
Higuain and Alves link to sink kids of Monaco
Gonzalo Higuain’s euphoric reaction to his first goal of the night told you everything there was to know. With 10 Juventus team-mates behind him, the centre forward realised the true value of his sweeping finish.
not only a goal but an away goal. not only an away goal but an away goal for a side with a defensive unit true to the finest Italian traditions.
This Juve are not afraid to slam on the padlock when necessary. Barcelona with the prolific talents of lionel Messi, neymar and luis Suarez were kept at bay for 180 minutes in their quarter-final.
leonardo Jardim’s Monaco have scored 95 goals in 34 games in the French league. They have flair and oodles of potential in their youthful ranks but they too found it impossible to find a way back into the game.
There was a vintage quality to this cross-border raid by the old lady of Italian football. ‘a beautiful match,’ beamed Juve boss Max allegri. ‘Two beautiful goals. They say (Higuain) doesn’t score in the Champions league.’
after his opener, Higuain vaulted the lED advertising boards pedalling the goods of UEFa’s favourite brands — one of them claiming to be ‘priceless’ — and headed for the Juventus fans with arms pumping. It was an exquisitei it goal,l withith a chain of passes involving eight of their 11 players and a sumptuous back-heel by Dani alves. The supporters, like their argentinian centre forward, understood its significance in the quest for their first European Cup for 21 years.
once ahead, they tracked back in numbers and ran hard to retain their tactical shape, brilliantly cajoled by leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini and with the soothing presence of Gigi Buffon towering in goal.
Few risks were taken and most threats halted, one way or another, before they reached the goal. WhenWh M Monaco did manage t to penetrate, they found Buffon in solid form, moving one step nearer the European title his magnificent career merits.
Even in stoppage time the 39year- old keeper was still alert, pushing over a header by Kamil Glik from point-blank range.
Juve’s second goal, again scored by Higuain, ought to be enough to make next week’s second leg something of a formality. If it is not Real Madrid and Juventus in the final in Cardiff next month then something very unlikely is about to occur.
like atletico Madrid, Monaco willw not surrender. no one expected themt to turn around a two-goal deficit against Manchester City in thet last 16, but scoring against Juventus is a different proposition t to putting them past City or Borussia Dortmund.
allegri can take credit too, maki ing an important adjustment to h his usual line-up by adding the solidity of andrea Barzagli at right back and releasing alves to play further forward. alves created both goals but Juve needed Buffon to keep out the hosts.
‘We didn’t know how to convert our chances,’ said Jardim. ‘Buffon made unbelievable saves.’
Perhaps it was all part of the plan because when the chance came, Juventus sprang out and punished their hosts in clinical fashion.
alves was released down the right and produced the flick to outfox Glik and find Higuain, who escaped Tiemoue Bakayoko and swept the ball confidently past Monaco keeper Danijel Subasic.
Jardim’s side returned refreshed and refocused for the second half but there was no easy way through and Juve were always dangerous on the break.
Subasic denied Claudio Marchisio but Higuain made no mistake as he drifted away from Glik and converted on the half-volley from a cross by alves after Bakayoko had been dispossessed in his own half.
‘I fight so hard for these moments,’ said Higuain. ‘ I’m delighted with the goals but this isn’t over yet.’
It was a sentiment shared by allegri despite the two-goal advantage. ‘We made a forward step but it’s not definitive,’ said the Juventus manager, ever cautious.
It did not feel that way as the Stade louis II emptied. It felt as though Juventus were bound for Cardiff. Juventus have not conceded three at home since november 2013.