Higuain one of world’s top three strikers — Chiellini

JUVENTUS boast in Gonzalo Higuain one of the top three No 9s in world football, according to the striker’s team-mate Giorgio Chiellini.

The Argentine’s two goals in Juventus’ 2-0 win in Monaco last week mean the Italians head into the second leg of their Champions League semi-final tonight in control of the tie.

Much of the talk in the build-up to the first leg had focused on Monaco’s brilliant 18-year-old striker Kylian Mbappe but neither he nor veteran strike partner Radamel Falcao could find a way past Juve goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon.

Higuain, in contrast, was at his clinical best, finally taking his domestic form on to the biggest stage with his first goals in a Champions League knockout game in four years.

The 29-year-old scored again in the 1-1 derby draw with Torino at the weekend, taking his tally for the season to 32 in all competitions.

And defender Chiellini believes Higuain’s goalscoring instincts are as good as anyone’s.

He said: “Higuain is a complete striker, surely among the best three nines in the world.”

Juve, who are on the verge of a sixth straight title, reached the final in Berlin two years ago only to lose out to Barcelona. But Chiellini believes the current side is better equipped to go all the way this time.

“I’d say the greatest difference between this Juventus and the one you saw in the final two years ago is inner belief,” he said.

“We showed maybe a little too much respect to Barcelona in the final and that showed in our performance.

“This time around we know how to manage the key moments and we have the confidence to go toe to toe with Europe’s best in the knowledge that we have what it takes to beat them.”