Alves imperious again as Juventus make final
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ByEurosport
Updated 09/05/2017 at 22:18 GMT
Champions League semi-final, Juventus Stadium – Juventus 2 (Mandzukic 33, Alves 44) Monaco 1 (K. Mbappé 69); Juventus win 4-1 on aggregate
Mario Mandzukic of Juventus FC (L) celebrates with his team-mate Daniel Alves da Silva after scoring the opening goal during the UEFA Champions League Semi Final second leg match between Juventus and AS Monaco at Juventus Stadium on May 9, 2017 in Turin,
Image credit: Getty Images
Dani Alves once again starred as Juventus beat Monaco 2-1 on the night and 4-1 on aggregate to progress to the final of the Champions League.
The right-back set up both goals in the first leg, and produced a sublime back-post cross for Mario Mandžukic to open the scoring after half an hour and effectively put the tie beyond Leonardo Jardim’s men.
Alves then added to his side’s advantage with a thunderous strike from distance on the stroke of half-time, as the 100-cap Brazil international put in another imperious performance.
The Italian giants had gone 691 minutes without conceding a goal in the Champions League but their resistance was finally broken when 18-year-old wonderkid Kylian Mbappe scored a late consolation goal but, truth be told, Jardim’s men were well beaten across the two legs.
Juventus will now play either Real Madrid or Atletico Madrid in the Cardiff final on June 3 when they will bid to clinch the top prize in Europe for the first time in 21 years.
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Paulo Dybala of Juventus FC (R) celebrates with his team mates Daniel Alves da Silva (C) and Gonzalo Higuain (L) the victory at the end of the UEFA Champions League Semi Final second leg match between Juventus and AS Monaco at Juventus Stadium on May 9,
Image credit: Getty Images
TALKING POINT - Men against boys
Monaco have scored an eye-watering 150 goals in all competitions thus far this season and are on the verge of claiming the Ligue 1 title, but Jardim’s youthful charges barely laid a glove on Juventus over 180 minutes. The Old Lady displayed immense guile and were far too experienced for the French side who had destroyed Manchester City and Dortmund in earlier rounds.
The Italian giants have dominated domestically in recent years but have lacked the firepower required to conquer Europe. Having signed talisman Gonzalo Higuain as well as the impeccable Dani Alves last summer however, Massimiliano Allegri’s side are now perfectly balanced and ready to lift the Champions League for the first time since 1996.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Dani Alves (Juventus) – The full-back provided the opening goal with an incredible assist and then put his side completely out of sight with a stunning volley. Not only was he an invaluable asset in attack however, the Brazilian didn’t neglect his defensive duties. The definition of an all-round player.
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Dani Alves
Image credit: Getty Images
PLAYER RATINGS
Juventus: Buffon 7, Barzagli 7, Bonucci 7, Chiellini 8, Alex Sandro 7, Khedira N/A, Pjanic 7, Dani Alves 9, Dybala 7, Mandzukic 8, Higuain 8. Subs: Benatia N/A, Marchisio 7, Cuadrado 7.
Monaco: Subasic 7, Glik 7, Jemerson 7, Sidibe 6, Raggi 6, Moutinho 6, Bakayoko 5, Silva 5, Dirar 5, Mbappe 7, Falcao 5. Subs:, Fabinho 7, Mendy 7, Germain N/A.
KEY MOMENTS
9’ – KHEDIRA INJURY! An early blow for Juventus as Khedira, who has just returned from injury, is forced off after appearing to pick up a hamstring injury. He is replaced by Claudio Marchisio.
33’ - GOAL - JUVENTUS TAKE THE LEAD! Mandzukic opens the scoring to give the Old Lady a 1-0 lead on the night and a 3-0 advantage on aggregate. A lovely ball from Alves finds Mandzukic at the back post. His first header is saved by Subasic but he's up quickly to tap in the rebound.
42’ - MONACO CHANCE! Mendy gets to the byline and drills a delicious ball across the face of goal but somehow Chiellini manages to divert the ball over the bar at full stretch! Monaco corner comes to nothing.
44’ - GOAL - Juventus lead by two! A wonderful volley from Alves puts the Old Lady completely out of sight. Subasic can only partially clear from a Juventus corner but Alves volleys the loose ball into the back of the net from around 15 yards out. Sensational goal.
69’ - GOAL - Mbappe gets one back for Monaco! The 18-year-old wonderkid taps in from close range for his sixth goal of this term's competition. Too little, too late, for the visitors though. The goal came from a short corner with Moutinho driving in the penalty area and pulling it back for Mbappe who applies the finish.
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Juventus' goalkeeper from Italy Gianluigi Buffon (R) kisses Monaco's French forward Kylian Mbappe after Juventus won the UEFA Champions League semi final second leg football match Juventus vs Monaco, on May 9, 2017 at the Juventus stadium in Turin.
Image credit: Getty Images
KEY STATS
- No team have reached the Champions League final on more occasions than Juventus (six – level with AC Milan).
- Thierry Henry (five games) is the only French player to have reached six Champions League goals quicker than Kylian Mbappe (nine games).
- Kylian Mbappe has become the youngest player to score in a Champions League semi-final (18 years and 140 days).
- Mario Mandzukic ended his longest run without a Champions League goal (six games) and is now on 15 goals in 45 appearances.
- Juventus have now overtaken AC Milan's unbeaten run record (641 minutes) for an Italian side in the Champions League.
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