Leonardo Jardim: AS Monaco must believe in "5%" chance

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But you have to give a sentimental nod to Gianluigi Buffon on a night he shut out high-scoring Monaco, 2-0, in his 100th Champions League appearance for Juve and gave the Italian champion a huge advantage in the UEFA Champions League semifinal series. This time, it was a cross from deep that Higuain slotted past the Monaco keeper.

It will prove fitting, as the two sides sport the only unbeaten records in this season's competition.

Jardim's team have been prolific this season, but were unable to get past Juve and Buffon, and the Monaco coach said the shot-stopper was key.

The same two players combined again for the visitors' second goal on 59 minutes, Higuain tapping in from close range from an astute cross by the veteran Brazilian defender.

But Buffon, 39, was instrumental for the Serie A champions, making numerous saves to put them in control of the tie.

Dani Alves has now created more chances (27) than any other player in the Champions League this season.

The difference in composure was emphatically highlighted on the second goal.

But Monaco should have equalised early in the second half, Falcao failing to beat Buffon with an effort lacking power after Bernardo Silva had impressively set him up. Juve grabbed a 2-0 win after a double salvo by Gonzalo Higuain and the Italians are now in an excellent position to reach the final.

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They look machine-like in their winning approach. The latter, in particular, was a lethal move with the former Barcelona man providing both assists for Higuaín's goals.

Feeding off such quality was Higuain, who refused to be overshadowed by the much-hyped Mbappe in the battle of the goalscorers. The team has not conceded a Champions League goal in 621 minutes. However, they've generally struggled when the top teams have visited, losing all four of their home games against top-five opposition and scoring only one goal across these. We made a few too many mistakes and Buffon made a great save when it was 0-0. With three chances, we didn't score.

"I fight so hard for these moments", he told reporters after the match.

"I stayed calm. I knew everyone had faith in me and that hard work is always rewarded in the end".

Until Wednesday, Juventus had never kept six consecutive clean sheets in the Champions League.

Buffon, who won the World Cup with Italy in 2006, has won nearly all there is to win in the game - apart from the Champions League.

The Juventus bench rose as one after Higuain slid in to turn home a deep cross in the 59th, with Alves again the provider.

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