AS Monaco, beaten 2-0 at home in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final against Juventus, will have to make history in today’s return if they are to end Ligue 1’s long absence from the final.
Only two teams have ever won a knockout tie in the competition after losing at home in the first leg and in both cases — Ajax Amsterdam against Panathinaikos in 1996 and Inter Milan against Bayern Munich in 2011 — they had only one goal to make up. Monaco, who themselves were the last French side to reach the final when they lost to Jose Mourinho’s Porto in 2004, would also have to end Juve’s four-year unbeaten home record in Europe and a run of six successive clean sheets in the competition.
Monaco have never won a game in Italy in seven attempts while Juve’s record against French teams will not give them much encouragement either — the Italians have won all previous 11 knockout ties against Ligue 1 opponents including Monaco themselves on two occasions.
Both teams lead their own leagues and are on the brink of winning their respective titles while Juventus have also reached the Italian Cup final, putting them on course for a treble. Monaco coach Leonardo Jardim, whose side won 3-0 at Nancy on Saturday to close in on the Ligue 1 title, said that an early goal could change the complexion of the tie.
“We have to stay confident, try to play our game and put on a good performance and if we score at the start of the game, maybe that could change things,” said Jardim.
If there is one thing which gives Jardim hope, it is Monaco’s prolific scoring record this season. They have blasted 139 goals in 55 matches in all competitions, not including the French League Cup, and have managed three or more goals in a match on 25 occasions.
Kylian Mbappe, 18 and one of the hottest properties in European football, has scored 18 goals in his last 20 competitive games, while the team features other dangerous players including resurgent Colombian forward Radamel Falcao.
Juventus forward Paulo Dybala limped off during Saturday’s 1-1 draw at home to Torino, which ended his side’s run of 33 consecutive home league wins, but coach Massimiliano Allegri said it was just a case of cramp. “It was normal in the circumstances and towards the end of the season,” said Allegri, who warned his team not to think about any another result than a win. “Monaco are a side with great talent and we have absolutely not yet sealed our qualification. We need to win the second leg.”
Tomorrow, Atletico Madrid will attempt to overturn daunting first-leg deficit. Atletico coach Diego Simeone went as far as to say that coming back from 3-0 down to holders Real Madrid in their derby at home would be “impossible” for other teams — but not his.
“I’ve told the players it is very difficult, that we are facing the best team in the world, who score goals in every game, but that it is possible,” the Argentine said after Atletico guaranteed a top-four finish in La Liga with a 1-0 win over Eibar on Saturday. “I am convinced of it. If I wasn’t I wouldn’t say it. If we are united and understand that it is a semi-final at home, we have a chance.”
Cristiano Ronaldo, who was rested at the weekend, and his Real team-mates can expect a fiery reception at the Vicente Calderon on what promises to be an emotional occasion. Today’s clash will be the final European game at the Vicente Calderon because Atletico move to the new 67,000-capacity Wanda Metropolitano next season.
Atletico’s fans gave the team full-throated support at the weekend, staying on after the final whistle against Eibar, and the players responded by returning for a lap of honour. Captain Gabi said they wanted to repay the fans: “Once again they haven’t left us behind. This group of players lacks a big comeback and we hope it is on Wednesday.”
Real have beaten Atletico twice in three years in the Champions League final and a Ronaldo hat-trick — his second treble in as many matches in the competition — brushed aside Simeone’s men in the first leg.
It would take a staggering capitulation for Real to fail to reach the final in Cardiff on June 3 as they chase a league and European double.
Coach Zinedine Zidane made nine changes to his side but they still thrashed already relegated Granada 4-0 at the weekend with James Rodriguez and Alvaro Morata scoring doubles.
The Frenchman warned his side they would need to produce the “perfect game” against Atletico but believes Real are in prime condition at a crucial juncture, having rested most of his starting XI. “Over nine months if you play every game, sometimes you are empty by the end of the season. We are the opposite, physically we are very strong and that is good news for the end of the season,” he said ominously.