UEFA Champions League 2016/17: Monaco 0-2 Juventus, Player Ratings
Two goals from Gonzalo Higuain could have killed the Champions League semi-final tie between Monaco and Juventus, with the away side once again putting on a defensive masterclass on their European travels.
Kylian Mbappe and company were just unable to put the finishing touches to a few very good chances in the second half, leaving Leonardo Jardim’s men with a lot to do when they visit Turin next week with hopes of turning the aggregate scoreline around.
Massimiliano Allegri’s system proved to frustrate the home side, though some heroic goalkeeping from elder statesman Gianluigi Buffon was required to ensure that the Bianconeri had a clean sheet to take back to Italy with them ahead of the second leg.
Monaco failed to score for just the second time in their last 32 competitive games, losing at Stade Louis II for the first time since December. Quite the night for Juventus, who will be full of confidence heading into the second leg very soon.
Here are the player ratings for the home team:
Monaco
Danijel Subasic - 6
Made a couple of easy saves early in the game to deny Dani Alves and was generally quite confident when commanding his area. However, the second goal from Gonzalo Higuain could potentially have been kept out, had he spread himself differently.
Nabil Dirar - 7
Whipped in some really delicious crosses from the right-hand side for the home team, with it a travesty that the make-shift right-back didn’t manage to come away from the game with two or maybe even three assists. Defensively, he struggled a little more against Alex Sandro.
Kamil Glik - 6
Battled well with Mario Mandzukic throughout the game, and didn’t allow either of Juventus’ strikers to have a great deal of influence in build-up play. Strong in the air and was a real presence in both penalty areas for set pieces.
Jemerson - 5
Wasn’t afraid to get forward as Monaco desperately tried to find a way back into the tie on Wednesday evening, but did struggle at times to react well to the quick thinking of the likes of Higuain and Paulo Dybala.
Djibril Sidibe - 5
Struggled to offer too much offensively on the left-hand side, due to him being naturally a right-sided player. Benjamin Mendy was a huge miss for Monaco, that much was clear. Struggled to deal with Dani Alves on the break.
Bernardo Silva - 6
Did show his technical ability in flashes on the break, and almost had a good chance to test Buffon late on when laid through on goal by Joao Moutinho. Due to Juventus’ system and congested final third, however, he struggled to make a telling impact.
Tiemoue Bakayoko - 4
Rushed back into the first-team picture after breaking his nose, with the French midfielder forced to wear a protective mask for his troubles. Struggled to really get on the ball or offer any kind of drive in midfield and was rightfully the first man to be subbed off for the hosts.
Fabinho - 5
Did show real composure and confidence in the centre of midfield at times, but also gave the ball away in some dangerous areas too. Not the best performance from the Brazilian utility man, who didn’t manage to offer much in the way of deep-lying incisiveness.
Thomas Lemar - 5
His set-piece deliveries caused a few problems, but after a bright spell in the first half down the left-hand side, the French midfielder faded quite badly and was replaced heading into the last 20 minutes of normal time as a result.
Kylian Mbappe - 6
Caused a lot of problems for the likes of Leonardo Bonucci and Andrea Barzagli in the first half, even forcing Buffon into a brilliant save, but the second half was much tougher for him to find space in due to Juventus sitting back and shutting up shop.
Radamel Falcao - 5
Worked hard up front and definitely crafted some opportunities for both himself and others, but the lack of finishing touch from the Colombian striker was telling. He spurned a few excellent opportunities to get Monaco back into the tie.
Substitutes
Joao Moutinho - 5
Provided one inventive through ball to Bernardo Silva late on, and tried to move the ball with urgency, but Juventus’ deep-lying nature made life tough for him.
Valere Germain - 6
Figured as an extra attacker in the dying stages for Monaco, with a close-range header from the Frenchman being vitally tipped over the crossbar by Buffon. So nearly a hero to give his side some hope heading into next week.
Almamy Toure - 5
Whipped in one dangerous cross from the right-hand side near the end, but Chiellini was able to deal with it expertly. Didn't get much of the ball to cause too many issues for the away side.