They didn't squeak out of their group; they won 3 and drew 2 of the first 5 games, and guaranteed first spot; at that point they had a +5 goal difference too. Then they played a second fiddle team against Leverkusen and lost 3-0. So some context here is important.
Also I don't subscribe to this black and white view you have of teams; if you consider City, Tottenham and Dortmund to be piss poor teams, then I don't know who isn't piss poor in your view; 4-5 teams?
Beating Tottenham, Dortmund, and Villareal away is no easy feat. In France, they got 4 points of PSG, scoring three past them in one game, they beat Nice 3-0 at home, they scored three goals in each game against Dortmund and City.
I'm not saying that Juve aren't favorites, or that you shouldn't be disappointed if you don't beat them, and yes you could still consider it a collosal failure not to beat them, but then again I also think it was a colossal failure on the part of City to not beat them, and taking into account the gap in individual players and resources, its also a colossal failure on the part of PSG to be trailing them in the league. Monaco are definitely punching above their weight, but regardless, their results put them up there with the best in Europe this season. If they win the Ligue 1, and hopefully the Coupe De France*, and give Juve a good game in the semi's. I think one could then make a case for them being among the top 5 in Europe this season.
*Jardim unfortunately does not have a big squad, and he'll probably rest some players for the midweek semis against PSG; if he does, I can't see them getting past PSG.
PS: I understand the low expectations jibe against Arsenal, but not France. France is one of the favorites for the next WC, I will be disappointed if they don't win it. That's how high my expectations are of them.
Do you believe I didn't realize how much the starting lineup has changed at Juve in just two years time. But yes, both coaches have done an amazing job. I won't lie, I didn't think that highly of Allegri when he first took over Juve. But boy has he done an amazing job. Those two legs against Barcelona were a masterpiece; for me especially in the Camp Nou, because a few teams have shut down Barca away, but at the Camp Nou, barely allowing them a couple of shots on target is really commendable.
Jardim has done a fantastic job in Monaco, I think he is definitely a top coach, and will soon be managing a top team. If you think Klopp is good at drilling his teams to press their opponents, Jardim's Monaco do it very well.