With Italy conquered yet again, two-time European champions Juventus now set their sights on reclaiming European domination. The Bianconeri brushed aside a dangerous Borussia Dortmund team in the round of 16 with help from their in-form strike partnership. The Old Lady also received a nice slice of luck by drawing arguably the weakest side remaining in the tournament, Monaco, in the quarterfinals.
But the team from the principality should not be underestimated by any means, as the ousted Arsenal can attest. Can they pull off another big upset in the quartefinals? Read on for our preview of this Champions League quarterfinal first leg. And get ready for Tuesday’s other first leg tie with our preview of Atletico Madrid vs. Real Madrid.
Italian giants Juventus have been untouchable on the domestic front this season. They will almost surely win a fourth-straight Serie A title, where they currently enjoy a massive 14-point lead over second place Roma. They are also through to the Coppa Italia final after demolishing Fiorentina 3-0 in the second leg away from home.
[sc:Soccer240banner ]But after years of underachieving in the Champions League, Juve are looking very formidable in that competition as well. They were excellent over two legs against Borussia Dortmund, sweeping aside the dangerous Germans 5-1 on aggregate.
The lethal strike partnership of Carlos Tevez and Alvaro Morata did all the damage in that tie as they scored all five goals. The two have scored 24 goals in all competitions this season. While they might not have as much space to exploit against a very compact Monaco defense, Tevez (six Champions League goals) has the quality to unlock even the tightest of defenses.
Juventus will be without midfield dynamo Paul Pogba, arguably the best young player in Europe, for both quarterfinal legs. But if any team can withstand the loss of a top midfielder, it’s Juve. Top class midfielders Arturo Vidal and Claudio Marchisio, who played against Fiorentina after an ACL tear scare, should both be available for selection against Monaco. Andrea Pirlo, though, is still a doubt with a calf injury.
Expect Juve to dominate proceedings at home against a cautious Monaco side that will be more concerned with not conceding. Juve are undefeated at home in Serie A and the Champions League this season, going 16-0-3 with 43 goals scored and just ten conceded.
Monaco delivered the shock of the round of 16 as they knocked out English powerhouse Arsenal. Despite losing 2-0 at home in the second leg, Monaco’s astounding 3-1 victory in London was enough to secure their passage to the last eight on away goals.
Scoring has been an issue for Monaco all season long, though. They’ve scored just 36 goals in 31 league games this season, and seven in eight Champions League matches. Dimitar Berbatov is their leading scorer this season with seven goals.
Monaco stunned Arsenal with some terrific counterattacking, but Juve are a much more solid defensive unit than Arsenal, and should be savvier about preventing any gaps at the back that led to Monaco’s goals. However, with the pressure on the Italians to take the game to their opponents at home, Monaco could yet find some spaces to exploit in the away leg.
Monaco will be very much content to sit back and turn the first leg into a slow, grinding game with their very solid defense while they wait for an opportunity to strike. Monaco have conceded just four goals in eight Champions League matches, and have kept five clean sheets. Geoffrey Kondogbia and Jeremy Toulalan can hold their own against Juve’s talented midfield, and should help shield their defense from Juve’s sustained attacks.
