Buffon: Atletico Madrid has the edge over other semi-finalists

Nyon - Real Madrid is the defending champion and Monaco the most "feisty," but Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon says that Atletico Madrid is the "trickiest."

The 39-year-old Buffon said that the Rojiblancos might have an edge over the other three teams because they are out of the La Liga title race, and can rest players for Europe.

"The only distinction from the three teams is that Atletico Madrid have a more marked and defined position in the (league) standings," the stopper said.

"The other two (Real and Monaco) are fighting for the championship (as are Juventus) so that could be a factor."

Real Madrid, for whom Cristiano Ronaldo hit a hat-trick to see off Bayern Munich in the quarters, is the favourite with British bookmakers.

But Juventus was hugely impressive in beating Barcelona 3-0 in the first leg and then holding the Spanish champion to a 0-0 draw at the Camp Nou on Wednesday in a defensive masterclass.

Italian media are confident that the perennial Serie A winner can deliver Buffon Champions League glory at last.

Gazzetta dello Sport cited strong evidence in Juve's almost "impenetrable defence" and Gazzetta columnist Alessandro De Calo wrote of the prospect of domestic and European domination for the Turin club: "Henceforth, there's no doubt: there's a smell of the treble in the air."

Beaten Barcelona defender Gerard Pique concurred, tipping Juventus to lift the trophy the club last won in 1996.

"Over the two legs they were better than us so they deserve to go through to the semi-finals. I think they can win the Champions League this season," Pique said.

French league leader Monaco remains the outsider, but has already beaten Borussia Dortmund in the quarter-finals and Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur before that.

The French side is full of attacking vim, having hit a staggering 141 goals in all competitions this season.

And in teenage striking sensation Kylian Mbappe, allied with a rejuvenated Radamel Falcao, Monaco has the firepower to trouble even Juventus and Buffon.

The Champions League final is on June 3.