Juventus have the chance to show Europe that they are back on Wednesday night, according to their goalkeeper and captain Gianluigi Buffon.
The 1996 Champions League winners take a 1-0 lead into the second leg of their quarterfinal tie with Monaco, and Buffon says reaching the last four would ensure the rest of Europe knows the Bianconeri are once again a force to be reckoned with.
"I know full well that this is a crucial game both for me and for the club," Buffon said at a news conference in Monaco. "If we were able to get through this round, it would confirm that Juve are growing and it would be an important sign in Europe to show that, if it were necessary -- if there are still any doubts -- we're back."
Juve take just a slender advantage to the Stade Louis II, but coach Massimiliano Allegri was keen to underline that the job is not even half done.
"It's going to be a long night," he said. "It's still open. We've got a small advantage, given we won 1-0, but we're going to have to score again to go through.
"We know Monaco a bit better now and we know what characteristics they've got. They're a very difficult side to face, and they defend very well and they're physically strong, as well as being technically good, too. It's going to be hard, like the first leg was."
Allegri had some good news for Juve fans with Arturo Vidal, who was rated doubtful with a bout of tonsillitis, able to train fully on Tuesday. The Chilean has made the trip to the principality and should be able to start, having scored the penalty which decided the first leg.
"Vidal's fine," Allegri said. "He trained with the team today. He had a fever the day before yesterday but was already feeling better yesterday."
Vidal could therefore start in an unchanged team from the first leg, although Allegri is understood to be considering replacing Roberto Pereyra with Andrea Barzagli and playing with a back five.
The Italian champions, who are within touching distance of a fourth straight Scudetto, are looking for a first semifinal berth since 2002-03.