Monaco vs Juventus as it happened: Gonzalo Higuain double puts Old Lady in control

Re-live the Champions League semi-final at the Stade Louis II

Juventus sent Barcelona packing to set up a semi-final with Monaco (Getty)

Monaco entertain Juventus in this week's second Champions League semi-final first leg, with Leonardo Jardim's unstoppable attacking force hoping to progress past Max Allegri's immovable object.

• Juventus reaching Champions League final is 'logical conclusion', claims Gianluigi Buffon
• Jose Mourinho wants to sign Monaco's Bernardo Silva for Manchester United, and it's no surprise why
• Bayern Munich preparing an end of season raid on Monaco's talented youngsters, says Lothar Matthaus
• Kylian Mbappe's uncle claims Manchester United and City both have a chance of signing Monaco star

What time does it start?

Monaco vs Juventus kicks off at 7.45pm on Wednesday 3 May.

Where can I watch it?

The match will be shown live on BT Sport 2 from 7.00pm.

Highlights will be shown on BT Sport 3 at 1.00am on Thursday 4 May.

Preview

Monaco and Juventus sit at the top of their respective leagues and will compete in an intriguing semi-final fixture. Juventus gained plaudits for a defensive masterclass in the last round, when they defended a 3-0 lead at Barcelona’s Camp Nou to shut out the Spanish side. Monaco have become renowned for their ability to score goals but have, at times, looked vulnerable in defence; making for an exciting tie.

A tight encounter between the sides in 2015 saw Juventus run out 1-0 aggregate winners, who went on to lose the final to Barcelona. Both teams have strengthened considerably since, evidenced by impressive performances throughout this campaign, with managers Allegri and Jardim being afforded time and resources to build on their squads.

The youth and fluidity of Monaco pit against the experience and nous of Juventus will be interesting to watch and both sides are able to field strong sides, with only Tiemoue Bakayoko unavailable for Monaco after breaking his nose in training, while Rugani (knee injury) and Khedira, serving a one-game suspension, will miss out for Juventus.

It’s a big game for…

Gonzalo Higuain. The forward has only scored two goals in 21 European knockout matches. Despite the Argentinian’s unquestionable ability, questions have resurfaced over his ability to perform under pressure due to poor performances in big games with Argentina as well as at club level. He will be keen to prove his doubters wrong at the Stade Louis II.

Best stat

Monaco's average squad age is 25.3, compared to Juventus’ 28.2: the youngest and oldest squads remaining in the competition respectively.

Monaco beat Dortmund to get to the final four (Getty)

Remember when…

Juventus knocked out Monaco in a high scoring fixture in the 1997/98 Champions League semi-final, which finished 6-4 on aggregate. Zidane and Del Piero were the scorers in an emphatic first leg victory in Turin, allowing them to lose but still progress in the return fixture.

Player to watch

Bernardo Silva. While Kylian Mbappe is stealing the headlines at the moment, it is Silva who pulls the strings in midfield and makes things happen for the forwards, who have been in remarkable form this season. Silva has popped up at crucial moments throughout Monaco’s season and is said to be on the radar of numerous clubs this summer.

Past three-meetings

Monaco 0 Juventus 0
Champions League, May 2015

Juventus 1 Monaco 0
Champions League, April 2015

Monaco 3 Juventus 2
Champions League, April 1998

Form guide…

Juventus: DWDWW

Monaco: WWWLW

Odds

Provided by 888 Sport

Juventus to win: 11/8

Monaco to win: 39/19

Draw: 27/11

[3 May 2017 19:48 · Samuel Lovett]

2 min: A quiet, reserved start as the two sides go about testing one another for weak spots. No real chances yet.

[3 May 2017 19:50 · Samuel Lovett]

4 min: Juventus push forward down the left flank, with a promising ball finding its way into the centre of the box. It hardly troubles the Monaco defence, though, as Sidibe steps in to boot the danger clear.

[3 May 2017 19:52 · Samuel Lovett]

6 min: Alex Sandro's darting run down the left flank sees him earn a corner. Nothing comes of it. As you were.

[3 May 2017 19:54 · Samuel Lovett]

10 min: Bernardo Silva works his magic to breathe some energy into Monaco's front-line. A wave of white shirts subsequently bomb forward, with a delivery pumped in from the left... but it takes a deflection off Barzagli and rolls out for a corner. Juventus clear. Back to square one.

[3 May 2017 19:56 · Samuel Lovett]

10 min: Dani Alves and Dybala come together on the edge of Monaco box to eventually release the former into the penalty area. From a tight angle near the right-hand side byline, he lets loose with a low-driven shot but it zips straight down the throat of Subasic who gets to safe hands to the ball.

[3 May 2017 19:59 · Samuel Lovett]

13 min: Chance for Monaco now! After Juve failed to clear a corner from the home side, the ball was subsequently floated back into the visitors' box. With the Juventus defence disorganised and caught unaware, Mbappe broke cover and met the delivery from seven yards out with a fierce header on goal. Had it been either side of Buffon Monaco would probably be leading now but, alas, it landed straight in his hands.

[3 May 2017 20:03 · Samuel Lovett]

16 min: Another chance for Mbappe and Monaco! A whipped delivery from Dirar on the right cuts in behind the Monaco defence, with Mbappe getting ahead of Chiellini to steer the ball towards the bottom right-corner. Buffon reacted with cat-like reflexes, however, to get low and push the shot away.

[3 May 2017 20:05 · Samuel Lovett]

18 min: Monaco really upping the the pressure now as Falcao takes his turn to almost put the home side ahead. Rising above his marker to meet yet another delivery from the right, he came within inches of picking out the top-left corner with his headed effort. Buffon looked to have got a hand to it to force the corner.

[3 May 2017 20:06 · Samuel Lovett]

20 min: Bonucci is shown yellow for charging through the back of Falcao. Frustration starting to bubble over for the Italians?

[3 May 2017 20:08 · Samuel Lovett]

23 min: Monaco are all over their opponents as they earn yet another corner from the left. I really hadn't expected them to dominate in this manner so early on. At this rate, it won't be long before they get their goal.