Gigi Buffon, Good Fortune Send Juventus Past Monaco into Champions League Semis

Juventus travelled to Monte Carlo knowing that they held the narrowest of advantages over AS Monaco, their 1-0 victory in the first leg giving them hope of reaching the last four of the Champions League for the first time since 2003.

The team selection from Max Allegri made the intentions of the visitors clear, the attacking impetus of Roberto Pereyra dropping to the bench in favour of Andrea Barzagli. That meant a return to the 3-5-2 formation in which the side is so comfortable, a shape which lent itself to the task of protecting their slender lead.

As the game got underway, it quickly became obvious that Leonardo Jardim’s men were actually faced with needing to break down a five-man defence, as Patrice Evra and Stephan Lichtsteiner showed little desire to press forward even when Juventus were in possession.

The home side created a number of early-half chances, with a slip from Giorgio Chiellini seeing the defender reach out and grab the ball. He was incredibly fortunate to only see a yellow card for the offence, while the Bianconeri breathed a huge sigh of relief when Geoffrey Kondogbia’s half-volley sailed harmlessly over the crossbar.

Lionel Cironneau/Associated Press

Lady luck again smiled on the Turin side minutes later when Bernardo Silva’s cross struck Barzagli, the deflection only narrowly going wide rather than finding the back of the net. Gigi Buffon was superbly positioned to save another effort from Kondogbia, the goalkeeper making his first crucial intervention of the night.

It would not be the last, but the Juventus captain was prevented from having too much work to do by a superb effort in midfield, with statistics from WhoScored.com showing just how hard Arturo Vidal and Claudio Marchisio worked to shield those behind them.

The Chilean star has slowly begun to rediscover his best form, and after his penalty separated the two sides last week, it was his effort without the ball that came to the fore at the Stade Louis II. He recorded six tackles and two interceptions, with his Italian team-mate adding a game-high seven tackles in addition to three clearances.

After the break, Buffon was again called into action, bursting off his line to claw the ball away from Dimitar Berbatov, before AS Monaco finally saw a little good fortune go their way. A late free-kick from Andrea Pirlo struck the post, with Croatian goalkeeper Danijel Subasic helpless to prevent it finding the top corner.

Lionel Cironneau/Associated Press

Allegri was full of praise for his defence however, telling Sport Mediaset that his players “allowed little or nothing to Monaco,” per Football Italia, going on to say that “the result counts for more than the performance tonight.”

“I thought I’d have to wait less when I was at this stage 12 years ago, but seeing the journey was very difficult, we can enjoy this result even more,” a relieved Buffon told Sport Mediaset shortly after the final whistle (h/t Football Italia), adding that the team “wanted to honour the history of Juve.”

They have certainly done that this term, now in the last four of the elite European competition, whilst also reaching the Coppa Italia final and enjoying a 15-point lead in the Serie A standings. “Tonight we were helped by good fortune,” Leonardo Bonucci told Sky Italia at full time (h/t Football Italia), and it is impossible to argue with the defender’s assessment.  

Asked who the Bianconeri would prefer to face next, Bonucci went on to say that whoever they meet in Friday’s draw will “see a Juve side up to the task.” They have been just that all season, and it has taken more than luck to see them almost certain of clinching a fourth consecutive league title, with further glory perhaps on the horizon.