Juventus are through to the semis!

Juventus are through to the semis!

Juventus are through to the semi finals of UEFA Champions league after playing out a draw against Monaco.

Arturo Vidal’s penalty in the first leg proved enough for Juventus to reach the semis, where they will meet either Bayern Munich, FC Barcelona or Real Madrid.

Going into this game, AS Monaco had conceded only two goals in the tournament. And they made life difficult for Juventus attackers in this game as well. Juve went into the clash with a 1-0 aggregate lead after tasting victory against the principality club in the first leg and the Italian giants held onto that lead to book their place in the last-four.

Massimiliano Allegri chose to send out his men in the tried-and-tested 3-5-2, with Andrea Barzagli’s return offering aerial reinforcement against a Monaco attack heavily reliant on crosses from the wings. Andrea Pirlo came back to the base of midfield, with Roberto Pereyra starting this one from the bench.

Paul Pogba and Martin Caceres were still sidelined, but Vidal had recovered from tonsillitis. Jeremy Toulalan missed the first leg, but he was back in the starting XI, though Ricardo Carvalho was ruled out and Nabil Dirar only fit for the bench.

Giorgio Chiellini almost made the worst possible start after slipping on the ball in defence within the first minute and almost allowing Anthony Martial in. Monaco were dominating early proceedings, and midfielder Kondogbia was proving to be a menace.

Shortly after Pirlo provided a trademark defence-splitting pass, eluding Monaco’s defence. Stephan Lichtsteiner would have been clear through on goal had it not been for the quick thinking of the on-rushing Subasic.

Monaco had strong claims for a penalty waved away as Martial recovered the ball and released Kondogbia, only to be squeezed out by Chiellini and Arturo Vidal.

The second half wasn't different, but none of the side could capitalize on the day.

AS_Monaco:1-Subasic, 2-Fabinho, 3-Kurzawa, 5-Abdennour, 24-Raggi, 8-Moutinho,15-Silva, 22-Kondogbia

Juventus starting XI: Buffon, Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini, Lichtsteiner, Vidal, Pirlo, Marchisio, Evra, Tevez, Morata.