Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri was pleased with his side’s 2-0 Champions League semi-final victory against Monaco and heaped praise on Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon.

The Old Lady put one foot in the final after a brace by Gonzalo Higuain gave them a 2-0 advantage heading into the second-leg of their Champions League tie.

Watch: Higuain gives Juve advantage

The result also saw Juventus secure their fifth consecutive clean sheet in the campaign, which Allegri believes was down to his side’s good defensive shape, in addition to their veteran goalminder.

Buffon. pic.twitter.com/Wy8AeQrsPZ

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‘The boys played a great game. They defended very well. It’s not easy, because Monaco have a great attack, very fast players going forward,’ he said in post-match comments.

‘We made a few too many mistakes and Buffon made a great save when it was 0-0.

‘The quality of the players I have available to me helped me prepare this team. To obtain results, you have to make sacrifices going forward and at the back. They players did that.

‘I’m happy with Buffon. Gigi remains the world No 1. He was very solid. He had already done that against Barcelona. Like all great players, he makes the difference in important matches.

‘Overall we should be happy. There is still the second leg to be played and that’s another serious match,’ he added.

The 49-year-old mentor also revealed his annoyance about Bosnian midfielder Miralem Pjani, whom he believes is performing way below his capabilities.

‘Pjanic has come a long way.

‘I’m annoyed with him in a way, because he has the technical ability to become one of the three best midfielders in the world, but he needs to stay focused and believe in his own abilities.

‘So far, he’s only shown a fraction of what he can do,’ he said.

Photo: EPA/Guillame Horcajuelo