Juventus edges out Monaco 1-0

Juventus will take a narrow advantage back to Monaco after Arturo Vidal's penalty sealed a 1-0 first-leg win in the Champions League quarter-final at the Juventus Stadium here.

The Serie A champions vowed not to make the mistake of underestimating their opponents, reports Xinhua.

"Monaco were a surprise but they aren't anymore. A trap that Arsenal fell into, Saturday's defeat to Parma served as a timely warning of what can happen if you take even a team 57 points worse off than you too lightly, let alone Monaco," Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri said.

Former Bayer Leverkusen man Vidal has already missed two spot-kicks this season but held his nerve to smash high into the top left corner and give his side the advantage going into the return fixture.

However, Monaco won't be too disheartened at taking a solitary goal deficit back to the principality, given that they were ranked outsiders to progress to the last four before kick-off.

Former Chelsea defender Ricardo Carvalho gave away the penalty, bundling over ex-Real Madrid striker Alvaro Morata inside the area.

Monaco played on the counter attack, in a game where the Italian outfit dominated possession. However, the Ligue 1 side always looked dangerous on the break but for Gianluigi Buffon, who made three tremendous saves, could have even taken a lead into the second leg.

Allegri was satisfied with the 1-0 result but is in no doubt that his side will have to score in next week's quarter-final second-leg clash at the Stade Louis II.