Juventus, Monaco’s Champions League bogey team across three ties? | OneFootball

According to Nice-Matin, Monaco have faced Juventus six times in Champions League knockouts, winning only once and being eliminated in all three ties.

Club historians Norbert and Julien Siri recall long-standing frustration, seeing Juventus, and often Italian sides, as bogey opponents built on tactical nous, maturity and streetwise figures like Giorgio Chiellini.

That perception is less obvious in the numbers this season, both squads average 26.1 years. They point to Italian defensive rigour and an intensely tactical style, while Monaco often value panache and spectacle, with Juventus typically efficient and realistic.

The rivalry began in 1998. Monaco had ousted Manchester United in the quarters with David Trezeguet scoring at Old Trafford, but then lost 4-1 in Turin, a margin they felt harsh amid disputed calls from a Russian referee. A 3-2 return win brought Monaco’s only success against the Old Lady.

In 2015 Monaco beat Arsenal 3-1 at the Emirates in the last 16, then lost in Turin to a generously awarded penalty. The return finished 0-0, with bitterness lingering over an early Chiellini handball that halted João Moutinho, punished only by a yellow card.

In 2017 Leonardo Jardim’s thrilling team ran into a ruthless Juventus near the final. Despite a raft of chances in the first leg, Kylian Mbappé and his team-mates went out with regrets.

Tonight’s meeting carries weight for Monaco’s Champions League survival. The Sirs feel this side seem more motivated against heavyweight opponents and that this could be the moment to crack the glass ceiling and end the hoodoo.

Source: Nice-Matin