Juventus have taken a big step towards a second Champions League final in three years after winning 2-0 away at AS Monaco.

The Ligue 1 side have shone in France and in Europe this season by reaching a Champions League semi final but Juve proved too strong in their first leg at the Stade Louis II.

Gonzalo Higuain scored twice on the night to give the Italian champions a significant advantage before the home leg in Turin's Juventus Stadium where they have an imperious record.

Former Barcelona right back Dani Alves set up the first goal with a backheel that ran seamlessly into the path of Higuain who finished it off with aplomb on 29 minutes.

And the same combination created the second goal just before the hour mark.

Alves' cross from the right looped over the Monaco defence to the far post where Higuain was lurking and the Argentina international swept in his second of the night.

Juventus will welcome Monaco to Turin for the second leg on May 9th and will be favourites to advance.

Coupled with Real Madrid beating city rivals Atletico 3-0 on Tuesday night in their first leg, the prospect of a first Juve-Real final in 19 years is becoming more likely.

Real Madrid edged Juve 1-0 in the 1998 Champions League final to end a 32 year wait for victory in European club football's most prestigious competition.