AS Monaco have been the team to watch out for in the current edition of the UEFA Champions League. The side has already beaten superstar-laden Manchester City and Borussia Dortmund to advance to the semi-finals of the tournament.
They are now set to face Italian heavyweights Juventus in the semi-finals of the tournament in what many believe is their biggest test of the season.
The old lady of Turin has been in an absolutely terrific form coming into the game and has shown the ability to keep even the best of attacking talents on the planet silent for large durations of the game.
With Monaco’s exuberant attacking football set to lock horns with the resolution and discipline of Juventus, the tie is generating a lot of interest and the footballing world cannot wait for the game to get under way.
In this segment, we take a look at 5 players, who we believe, could determine the course of the games between the two sides.
#5 Fabinho
The Brazilian midfielder has seen his stock rise rapidly over the course of the last few years, courtesy of his steely performance at the heart of the Monaco midfield and will be one of the key players for the side when they take on the mighty old lady of Turin.
The no-nonsense hard tackling midfielder has been a rock solid presence for Les Monegasques alongside Tiemoue Bakayoko and will look to disrupt the rhythm of the well-oiled machine that is the Juventus midfield, while also ensuring he plays his role in building up attacking play for his side.
He has been very successful at keeping the opposition midfielders occupied with his presence with a mixture of tackles, interceptions, blocks and recoveries and will be looking to continue the trend in what could possibly the toughest outing for his side in this year’s UEFA Champions League.
His pedigree on and off the ball is believed to be the catalyst behind Monaco playing free-flowing football as he helps other resources concentrate on their attacking duties and for Monaco attack to get their act together against the likes of Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci, Fabinho will need to continue with his excellent work in the middle of the park.
#4 Giorgio Chiellini
The Italian centre-back has established himself as an elite defender in world football and given his reputation, the player will be keen to help this Juventus side, which kept the likes of Lionel Messi, Neymar, and Luis Suarez silent, keep Monaco at bay.
Chiellini is an aggressive and fearless defender and over the course of the last few years, has played a crucial role in Juventus reclaiming their status as an elite footballing entity. The leader of one of the most resolute defence in the world currently, Chiellini will be critical to Juventus’s chances of making the finals of this season’s edition.
He has been brilliant on the ground as well as in the air and perhaps, possesses one of the sharpest defensive minds in the game and we expect those attributes to come to the forefront yet again.
Juventus have conceded a mere 2 goals in the current edition of the tournament and while that might make for a good reading, there are no easy games at this juncture of the tournament and even someone as experienced as Chiellini will need to put his best foot forward through the games.
#3 Miralem Pjanic
With Sami Khedira set to miss the first leg of the tie owing to suspension, after he was booked in both the legs of the quarterfinal against FC Barcelona, the responsibility to drive the Juventus midfield forward has fallen on the able shoulders of Miralem Pjanic.
The Bosnian midfielder, who has played a crucial role in his side’s dominance through the group as well as knock-out stages is undoubtedly one of the best central midfielders in Europe and will be keen to add to his credentials as the midfield general of the side managed by Massimiliano Allegri.
Pjanic is a wily operator in the centre of the park and has the ability to hurt sides with his combativeness as well as creativity.
It will be his ability to complement the abilities of Claudio Marchisio, who is set to partner him at the heart of the Juve midfield, in containing the exciting Monaco side that would truly determine the course of the game.
With 3 assists in the tournament thus far, he will be a constant threat to susceptible Monaco defence and could prove vital to Juventus splitting them open for good. The stage is set for Pjanic to make his mark and should he find his rhythm early on he could mean trouble for Leonardo Jardim and his men.
#2 Paulo Dybala
It is not very often that we see the performance of Lionel Messi being overshadowed by another player, let alone an Argentine. When Paulo Dybala took to field against Barcelona in the first leg of the quarterfinals, comparisons to Messi were inevitable.
Yet, what he achieved during the course of the next 180 minutes has further strengthened his credentials as one of the most sought after young attacking talents in the game.
The talented Argentine possesses the ability to split even the most sturdy defences apart with his mazy runs, brilliant close control and ability to find teammates in advantageous situations on the pitch. Add to the brilliant skills he possesses, his industriousness, and it is not hard to understand why he has already established himself as a fan favourite at the Juventus Stadium.
He has created 12 goal scoring opportunities in the tournament thus far and will be keen to add to those numbers come Wednesday. However, it will be his ability in front of the goal that will truly excite the Juventus faithful.
La Joya (The Jewel) has scored 4 goals in the tournament thus far, 2 of which came in the tie against Barcelona and given his ability to create time and space for himself and then clinically get the work done for his side, he is perhaps Juventus’s greatest attacking threat going into the game.
#1 Kylian Mbappe
No list of players who could determine the course of the tie between AS Monaco and Juventus FC would be complete without the inclusion of one particular name, Kylian Mbappe. The diminutive 18-year-old has set the footballing world alight with his performances in the current edition of the tournament and millions of eyeballs will be glued on to him when the two sides clash.
He gets past defenders with his pace as well as skill on the ball and has truly risen to the occasion by knocking some beautifully worked goals to propel his side into the semi-finals.
With 24 goals and 5 assists across all competitions thus far, Mbappe surely has the responsibility of carrying his side’s attack alongside Radamel Falcao and if his performances thus far can be counted upon, he could prove to be a thorn in the flesh of the resolute Juventus defence.
The French international has already been inscribed in the glorious chapters of European football’s biggest tournament, courtesy of his performances and would be keen to carry on the good work in the semi-finals.
The tie against Juventus is perhaps his biggest test as an attacker and we believe Mbappe has the required qualities to put them to the sword.
