Has-been to hero, Falcao savoring Monaco makeover

MONACO - Dismissed as a has-been after a disastrous spell in England, Radamel Falcao will savor the Champions League anthem more than most before Monaco and Juventus square off in Wednesday's semifinal first leg.

The Colombian striker will captain the principality club against the Italians - whose own star striker Gonzalo Higuain was once his colleague at River Plate - at Stade Louis II as it attempts to take another step towards a possible Ligue 1 and Champions League double.

Monaco has won admirers everywhere this season thanks to the exciting brand of soccer played by its young team, and the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Bernardo Silva and Thomas Lemar will be targets for the continent's giants in the offseason.