Now you can dream. Juventus are in the semifinals of the Champions League, an almost unthinkable result at the beginning of the season and therefore extraordinary, for them and for all of Italian football. Exactly 12 years after the last time (22 April 2003, 1-2 in Barcelona) the bianconeri are back in the top 4 in Europe, and the fact that qualification came after 180 minutes of great suffering only makes it more beautiful.
Of course, in terms of play, it cannot be said that Juve were great, indeed Monaco probably deserved to play at least for extra time. However, evenings like this temper the character, they help to believe that everything is possible, even arriving in the Olympus of Europe without shining. The 0-0 at Louis II, just like the 1-0 at the Stadium, will not go down in football history, there's no doubt about that. Yesterday's game was mangy, managed on a razor's edge for over an hour, until the fuel light came on at Monaco's Jardim.
“We only did well in the final – admitted Allegri in the press conference. – On the other hand, it wasn't an easy race, when you're so close to the goal it's normal to encounter difficulties, you have to adapt. Monaco makes you play badly, it's a bit like Atletico Madrid in miniature. They closed every gap well, but we made a lot of mistakes on a technical level. We didn't play well but the boys still deserve compliments for the result".
Honest analysis that of the Juventus coach, on the other hand it would have been difficult to argue the opposite. Rarely have we seen a Juve so contracted and imprecise, scared whenever the ball was at their feet, almost as if it were hot. And maybe that was it, because it's not every day that you get to play for a pass to the final four of the Champions League. Above all, the defense needs to be saved, despite Chiellini giving the Juventus people more than a shiver. His intervention on Kondogbia (36') could have been punished with a penalty, and then who knows how it would have ended. It's better this way, even from these episodes we understand how the European curse is diminishing.
However, it should be emphasized that Monaco did not create great dangers: apart from two outings by Buffon (one empty, the other providential), the Lady never trembled. The problem is that the team, scared to death, has never really raised its center of gravity: a pity, because when it did (two counterattacks from Morata) it gave the idea of being able to hurt the French. It wasn't a tuxedo night, even Pirlo noticed it, whose (splendid) free-kick was printed on the top corner, but overalls. The same that will also serve in the semifinals, perhaps with a few more sequins: otherwise the dream will end abruptly.
“They are all very strong but if I really have to choose one to avoid, I'll say Bayern – explained Allegri. – It won't be easy, that's for sure, but it will be very nice to play an elimination like this”. However, appealing the draw (tomorrow in Nyon) is no longer possible. The three remaining in the running (in addition to the Germans there are Barcelona and Real Madrid) are very strong, almost unplayable. Will Juve be able to change pace in the presence of a superpower? We will know shortly. But now it's time to celebrate and recharge the batteries, in view of the appointment with history.
