AS Monaco and Juventus booked their places in the UEFA Champions League (UCL) knockout phase play-offs after playing out a 0-0 draw at the Stade Louis II, with neither side able to find a breakthrough on a night filled with tension and permutations.

The match burst into life inside the opening minute when a dreadful clearance from Mattia Perin gifted Maghnes Akliouche a golden opportunity. With the goalkeeper stranded, the Monaco winger somehow missed the target, squandering a chance to give the hosts an instant lead.

Monaco continued to play with confidence and thought they had gone ahead before the quarter-hour mark through Folarin Balogun. However, celebrations were cut short when the referee ruled the goal out for a push in the build-up.

Juventus remained under pressure for much of the first half, and Perin was called into action again after 32 minutes. Akliouche showed good strength inside the area before laying the ball off to Vanderson, whose powerful strike was tipped over the bar by the visiting goalkeeper.

Despite Monaco’s dominance, Juventus almost stole the lead shortly before half-time when Lois Openda found space in the box, only to drag his effort wide, much to the relief of the home crowd.

The second half was far more cautious, with both teams appearing wary of making costly mistakes. With qualification scenarios constantly shifting, neither side was willing to commit too many players forward. Only one speculative attempt was registered in the opening 25 minutes after the restart, and it failed to trouble Perin.

Juventus’ subdued display after the break proved frustrating for their supporters, especially as victory could have pushed them into the top eight depending on other results.

Monaco came closest to snatching a late winner when Jordan Teze sent a free-kick on target from a promising position, but it lacked the power and precision to beat the goalkeeper.

In the end, a share of the spoils brought Juventus’ run of three consecutive Champions League wins to an end, while Monaco extended their winless streak to four matches in all competitions. Both sides now turn their attention to Friday’s draw, where they will discover their opponents in the knockout phase play-offs.