The last effort before the party. Because hitting the final in Cardiff would authorize it in all respects, even if the biggest battle would then remain to be fought. But Juventus' entire season has been based on the concept of step by step and therefore changing now would make no sense, all the more so with harvest time just around the corner.
Underestimating a semi-final of the Champions League would be almost unthinkable were it not for the 0-2 in the first leg which will force Monaco into a real feat: this is why the Bianconeri, unconsciously, could already feel they are in the final, a mistake that Allegri wants to avoid at all costs.
“They will play an open match and can count on high-quality players, so we will have to interpret it as if it were a one-off match, a sort of anticipated final – thought the coach – We are living in a wonderful moment, we are close to the Scudetto, we can get to Cardiff, we have already reached the final of the Coppa Italia. The risk, however, is to start making calculations, instead it takes a lot of calm. In football you never know, that's why it will be necessary to keep concentration high.
The concepts expressed by Allegri are impeccable, yet he too knows that his are really close to the last act of the Champions League. Juve have conceded 2 goals in 11 cup games against him and tonight they should collect 3 in one fell swoop to exit: possible, for heaven's sake, yet definitely unlikely. Jardim is also aware of this, but he doesn't want to raise the white flag yet but to try until the end.
“In the first leg they blocked all our strengths, that's why I'll make some changes to try and surprise them – explained the Portuguese. – We know it will be difficult but we want to play our football and try to do it, the ideal would be to take the lead in the first half and then play it all out in the second”.
In short, Monaco is ready to take off like a rocket, which is why Allegri seems oriented towards fielding one more defender and one less forward, thus modifying, at least from the outset, the 4-2-3-1 formation of the last few months. Juve will take the field with a 3-4-2-1 with Buffon in goal, Barzagli, Bonucci and Chiellini in defence, Dani Alves, Khedira, Pjanic and Alex Sandro in midfield, Dybala and Mandzukic in support of the lone striker Higuain.
Classic 4-4-2 instead for Jardim, who will try the miracle with Subasic in goal, Dirar, Glik, Jemerson and Sidibé in the back, Bernardo Silva, Fabinho, Bakayoko and Lemar in the midfield, Falcao and Mbappé in attack. The referee of the match will be the Dutch Kuipers, the same as the match in Barcelona: the hope is that it will be a positive sign towards the conquest of the final.
