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 20:45 · Samuel Lovett]

45 min: Kick-off! The second half is under way.

[3 May 2017 20:48 · Samuel Lovett]

47 min: Falcao with a chance to equalise! Silva had set up the forward inside the Juventus box but he was incapable of getting a decent shot on goal, such was the pressure of Bonucci. Instead, his effort rolled into the reassuring arms of Buffon who collapsed on top of the ball.

[3 May 2017 20:52 · Samuel Lovett]

49 min: Mbappe breaks cover to meet a bisecting through ball but Buffon reads the situation well and rushes from his line to claim it. The Italian pats the youngster on the head as if to say 'nice try, you ain't getting past me young laddy'.

[3 May 2017 20:54 · Samuel Lovett]

54 min: Monaco corner from the left. It's whipped in, booted back in the direction from which it came, and then once again pumped into the box by Dirar. The Italian defence holds strong, though, and the danger passes.

[3 May 2017 20:59 · Samuel Lovett]

GOAL! Monaco 0-2 Juventus (Higuain, 59 min):

Another from the Argentine! And it's Dani Alves with the assist once again. It was bread-and-butter stuff, though, this time round. In acres of space out on the right, Alves floated in a well-placed pass to the edge of the six-yard box which Higuain met with perfection. Sticking out a hopeful leg, the forward made the necessary connection to send the ball flying past Subasic and into the back of the net.

[3 May 2017 21:05 · Samuel Lovett]

63 min: To their credit, Monaco are still giving everything they've got - but it might not prove to be enough on this occasion. With two away goals, the Italians will surely be content to sit back, tighten up and dig deep to see out this game.

[3 May 2017 21:06 · Samuel Lovett]

65 min: Monaco free-kick from 30-odd yards out. It's fired straight into the wall. Oh dear.

[3 May 2017 21:09 · Samuel Lovett]

69 min: Chiellini is shown yellow for catching Falcao in the face with his elbow. Hardly intentional. The ref was a bit quick to brandish his card there.

[3 May 2017 21:14 · Samuel Lovett]

73 min: Moutinho draws tired of another failed Monaco attack and fires one in from 30 yards out. It's way off target, though, and sails high into the stand behind. 

[3 May 2017 21:17 · Samuel Lovett]

75 min: Moutinho dinks one over the top of the Juventus backline to Silva who, from a couple of yards out and at a tight angle on the right, attempts to catch the ball on the volley. He makes a hash of it and can only watch in despair as his effort curls away in the opposite direction.