15 April 2015
Arturo Vidal’s first Champions League goal of the season helped the Bianconeri steal an early march on rivals Monaco in the race for a semi-final spot.
On a tense night all round, Juventus were made to work hard for their 1-0 win as the impressive visitors, galvanised by a last 16 triumph over Arsenal, had them on the ropes at several moments of the contest, particularly during the opening 20 minutes.
This period, in which Yannick Carrasco-Ferreira twice went close to breaking the deadlock, yielded a significant slice of the eight shots on goal that Gigi Buffon had to face during the first half, the second highest amount this season after December’s Super Cup meeting with Napoli.
However, this nervy opening soon gave way to a period of Bianconeri dominance, as they quickly got to grips with their visitors’ strategy.
And this improvement duly received its reward when Vidal ended his eight-game Champions League goal drought on 57 minutes, emphatically crashing the ball beyond Danijel Subasic from the spot.
The late arrival of Andrea Barzagli helped clinch a seventh clean sheet from eight games in all competitions, preserving the club’s 13-game home record against French sides in the process.
More of the key numbers from last night’s game:
Four
Chances created by Roberto Pereyra, who also completed three dribbles as he looked to pose the Monaco rearguard problems.
Four
Crosses teased into the Monaco mixer by marauding right-back Stephan Lichtsteiner.
Seven
Good long balls that came courtesy of the returning Andrea Pirlo.
Seven
Tackles won by last night’s match-winner. Vidal also saw two of his five shots hit the target.
13
Recoveries made by captain Buffon.
63.6%
Possession registered by the hosts throughout yesterday’s contest.
73
Successful passes completed by Giorgio Chiellini, with the defensive lynchpin also making four interceptions and enjoying 96 touches of the ball.
