Football: Barzagli handed surprise start for Juve in Monaco    

MONACO: Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri has sprung a surprise in his starting line-up for Wednesday's Champions League semi-final first leg away to Monaco by including veteran defender Andrea Barzagli.

Winger Juan Cuadrado is the player to make way, which means Dani Alves could play further forward on the right wing unless Allegri decides to play with a back three in a bid to thwart Monaco's prolific attack.

With Sami Khedira suspended, Claudio Marchisio comes into the midfield for Juve, who drew 0-0 when they last came to Monaco in the quarter-finals two years ago, a result that allowed them to advance 1-0 on aggregate.

No French side has ever won a two-legged tie against the men from Turin, but this Monaco side are on a high as they close in on the Ligue 1 title. They have scored 146 goals in all competitions this season.

Coach Leonardo Jardim is without marauding left-back Benjamin Mendy, so Djibril Sidibe takes his place with Nabil Dirar starting at right-back at the Stade Louis II.

Sidibe, who usually plays on the right of the back four, has not played since being taken to hospital with appendicitis early last month.

Tiemoue Bakayoko starts in midfield but will wear a mask to protect his nose which he broke in training last weekend.

Starting line-ups in the Champions League semi-final first leg between Monaco and Juventus at the Stade Louis II on Wednesday (kick-off 1845 GMT):

Monaco (4-4-2): Danijel Subasic; Nabil Dirar, Kamil Glik, Jemerson, Djibril Sidibe; Bernardo Silva, Fabinho, Tiemoue Bakayoko, Thomas Lemar; Radamel Falcao (capt), Kylian Mbappe

Coach: Leonardo Jardim (POR)

Juventus (4-2-3-1): Gianluigi Buffon (capt); Andrea Barzagli, Leonardo Bonucci, Giorgio Chiellini, Alex Sandro; Miralem Pjanic, Claudio Marchisio; Dani Alves, Paulo Dybala, Mario Mandzukic; Gonzalo Higuain

Coach: Massimiliano Allegri (ITA)

Referee: Mateu Lahoz (ESP)