Juventus were in complete control as they beat AS Monaco 2-1 at home in the Champions League semi-final second leg on Tuesday night to progress to the final in Cardiff 4-1 on aggregate.
After Monaco started the better of the two sides, Mario Mandzukic broke the deadlock before a Dani Alves volley just before the break made it 2-0 to the hosts. Kylian Mbappe then pulled on back for the away side but it was too little to late.
Here, we list what we learned from the encounter.
ALVES A CREATIVE FORCE IN HIS OWN RIGHT
The best things in life are free – Juventus can certainly testify to that. Having signed Dani Alves on a Bosman from Barcelona in the summer, they’ve probably gotten more out of the Brazilian than they expected. Despite having a perfectly good right wing-back in Stephan Lichtsteiner already, Alves came in and made the position his own with some remarkable performances.
His display over the two legs against Monaco is nothing short of spectacular. The 34-year-old had a hand in all four goals Juventus scored in the tie. He followed up his two assists for Higuain in Monaco with sublime cross that Mandzukic headed to force a save from Danijel Subasic before turning in the rebound. He then put the tie to be with an incredible effort on the volley late in the first half.
The so-called defender registered more key passes (3), passes in total (45) and touches (74) than any other Juventus player on the night.
Dani Alves goal was flamesss pic.twitter.com/p5glF5zA2j
— FBL (@FOOTBALRLIFE) May 9, 2017
IT COULD’VE BEEN WORSE FOR MONACO
It was a night to forget for Leonardo Jardim and his men but it could’ve been so much worse. Once Juventus contained Monaco’s initial wave, they began to pick them off on the counter-attack and were denied a few times.
Higuain should’ve scored in the 22nd minute when he clean through on goal but his chip over Subasic just didn’t have enough on it as Glik was able to hook it away before it crossed the line.
Mandzukic then only had the keeper to beat three minutes after Higuain played him in with a reverse pass but he was thwarted superbly by his compatriot.
Alves produced a superb cross to the far post which Mandzukic headed wide in the 27th minute. The visiting custodian then denied Higuain in the 38th minute as well.
CHIELLINI A CLASS APART
Giorgio Chiellini was once again in a different league. He marshaled the back-line and commanded the box with authority. A few minutes before the break, Mendy fizzed a ball across the six-yard box which was destined for Radamel Falcao at the far post but the Italian defender somehow got a vital touch on it to steer it wide of the goal.
He was exceptional in the air, heading away every dangerous cross that came flying in, getting to deliveries ahead of Falcao in particular. Once he saw off Monaco’s first half attacks, the second 45 was all about keeping the shape at the back. With Juventus most likely to face Real Madrid in the final, a big performance from the Italian stalwart will be absolutely crucial in Cardiff.
GIORGIO CHIELLINI....WHAT A TACKLE. pic.twitter.com/BYHfouNwcO
— Tarek Khatib (@ADP1113) May 9, 2017
