AS Monaco and Juventus shared the spoils in a tense 0-0 encounter at the Stade Louis II. While the result leaves both sides frustrated, it secures their progress to the knockout playoffs, with Juventus narrowly missing out on a direct Round of 16 spot.
The final matchday of the league phase delivered a tactical battle between the Ligue 1 and Serie A giants. Despite Monaco’s offensive dominance and a disallowed goal, the “Old Lady” held firm to ensure they remain in the hunt for European glory.
VAR Frustration for Balogun
The first half belonged to the hosts. Monaco played with high intensity and thought they had taken the lead when Folarin Balogun found the net. However, after a lengthy VAR review, the goal was overturned due to a foul earlier in the build-up, much to the dismay of the home crowd.
Monaco’s pressure was relentless, forcing Mattia Perin into three world-class saves. The Italian goalkeeper was the hero for Thiago Motta’s side, keeping a clean sheet despite Juventus failing to register a single shot on target throughout the 90 minutes.
By the Numbers: Monaco’s Territorial Dominance
The statistics paint a clear picture of Monaco’s missed opportunities:
- Shots on Target: Monaco 5 | Juventus 0
- Corners: Monaco 6 | Juventus 0
- Crosses: Monaco 15 | Juventus 8
- Fouls: 31 total (A highly physical encounter in midfield)
Final Standings and Playoff Draw
The draw has different implications for both clubs as they look toward the next round:
- Juventus: Finished 13th place (13 points). They enter the playoffs as a seeded team, meaning they will avoid the highest-ranked opponents and play the second leg at home.
- AS Monaco: Finished 21st place (11 points). They secured their spot just one point ahead of Marseille, but will face a tougher, unseeded path in the playoffs.
What’s Next? Both teams will learn their playoff opponents this Friday (Jan 30) during the official UEFA draw.
Wilson Gaspar is a football analyst covering the UEFA Champions League, focusing on match previews, tactical reviews, and the performance of Europe’s top clubs throughout the competition.
