Can Juventus Stop Mbappe?

It can convincingly be argued that this is the more mouthwatering of the two ties — both for its relative novelty value and the contrast and styles and expertise it presents.

These two actually faced each other in the knockout phase only two seasons ago, Juventus winning a quarterfinal 1-0 on aggregate, but it was one of only two ties they have ever contested — the other being a semifinal in 1998 that the Italians also won. The change, particularly in Monaco’s case, since 2014-15 has been extraordinary: back in 2015 they could be tough to watch even with Anthony Martial and one of this season’s stars, Bernardo Silva, coming through.

This time around they are probably the freshest, most exciting side in Europe — attacking at lightning speed through Kylian Mbappe and their exhilarating full-backs, Benjamin Mendy and Djibril Sidibe. Leonardo Jardim has been given time to develop a team that will be many neutrals’ favourites for the competition, particularly with the risk of big bids for many of their young stars coming in during the summer.

Can they pull it off? Monaco should be a threat to anybody but they are faced with what is probably the ultimate European test. While the Ligue 1 side were throwing men forward as usual to defeat Borussia Dortmund, Juventus were providing a now-familiar masterclass in defensive discipline and application to keep Barcelona out at the Camp Nou and hold on to their 3-0 first-leg lead.

Massimiliano Allegri’s side has purred along in its Champions League campaign so far and its record is remarkable — they have conceded just twice in their 10 games. And even if Monaco can, as they will expect to, make a dent in that record the Italian champions are more than capable of cutting loose further up the pitch. Gonzalo Higuain has 29 goals this season; Paulo Dybala, who scored twice against Barcelona, has 16 and a supply line that includes Miralem Pjanic and Juan Cuadrado should find gaps in a Monaco team that, according to Jardim, will not compromise on its beliefs in the last four.

It is a tantalising clash of thrilling young talent and practised, battleworn heads: Monaco will hope to get their first semifinal since 2004, when they went on to finish as runners-up, off to a good start in the home leg, but Juventus — seeking their first Champions League triumph since 1996 — may feel confident of keeping them at arm’s length.

Prediction: Juventus are the most complete team left in the Champions League and, while Monaco will doubtless stretch them, it will be the Italians who go through — perhaps by a two-goal margin.