Raggi proud of Monaco’s Champions League achievement

Monaco defender Andrea Raggi’s disappointment of going out of the Champions League to Juventus was tempered by pride in the Ligue 1 outfits run to the quarter-finals.

The Italian champions led after a 1-0 win in the first-leg in Turin but a goalless draw at the Stade Louis II was enough eliminate the 2004 runners-up and see Massimiliano Allegri’s men advance.

Monaco were tipped to struggle this season but having made the last-eight in Europe can still secure a return next campaign, if they can maintain their place on the Ligue 1 podium.

“There were no goals tonight but we came close,” Raggi said to Sky Sport Italia.

“We really pressured an amazing Juventus side but we couldn’t find a goal.

“The important thing is to reflect on making it to this stage of the competition, a feat we fully deserved to achieve.

“Juventus will now be playing one of Bayern Munich, Barcelona or Real Madrid so it will be tough in the semi-finals for them.”

A former Italian under-21 cap, Raggi left Serie A when he signed for Monaco from Bologna  three years ago but doesn’t envisage a return to the Italian peninsula any time soon.

“I signed a new contract recently,” the 30-year-old said.

“For me my future lies with Monaco but you never know what will happen in the future.”