The first is gone. With little entertainment and a few too many risks but on the other hand, when it comes to the quarter-finals of the Champions League, what really matters is the result. Juventus won and, moreover, without conceding a goal, which is why, all in all, there's really no need to be picky. And then Monaco proved to be a real team, capable of playing it head-on, albeit in their own way, against a technically superior opponent. In short, the 1-0 at the Stadium won't go down in history but who knows if it can help make it.
“The result is good, not having conceded a goal at home gives us a small advantage in view of the second leg – Allegri's analysis. – Monaco have shown themselves organized both in defense and in attack, they have technique and physicality and can always create problems. We knew it before and we know it even better now that we've met them. You have to be patient against them otherwise you'll expose yourself as having happened in the first quarter of an hour”.
Indeed, the beginning was shivering. Juventus, lined up as expected with a 4-3-1-2 and Pirlo in the control room, suffered from the classic "performance anxiety", as it often happened, to tell the truth, in Europe. And so Jardim's Monaco, fielded with a chameleonic 4-2-3-1 (in the non-possession phase it became 4-4-1-1), even risked taking the lead. Very good Buffon to say no to Ferreira Carrasco (10'), saving a game that could have taken a really bad turn.
After the scare, the Lady started playing. Not with the ease typical of the championship but growing nonetheless. Two very chances in the first half, both badly wasted: first Tevez (26', slow shot a few meters from Subasic), then Vidal (45', right-footed cornering from a very good position). We went to the locker room with the feeling that the worst was over and that the goal could arrive at any moment. And in fact, at the beginning of the second half, here is the decisive episode. Splendid throw by Pirlo to unmark Morata and a clear foul by Carvalho: the referee had no doubts in pointing to the spot.
Double mistake, images "in hand": the contact took place outside the box and in any case it was to be punished with a red card, not a yellow card. In any case, Vidal didn't hesitate and displaced Subasic with a missile under the cross (57'). The goal made the match even more titillating than before, because Monaco's strong point is certainly not the attack (only a header from Berbatov just wide of points to report) and Juve, all things considered, could have been enough even like this .
Next Wednesday the French will have to uncover themselves and the Bianconeri will be able to benefit from some more space. The qualifying speech is not closed, God forbid, but it is certainly downhill. And the Champions League dream is taking shape more and more.
