The saves from Maignan’s assistant (injured before the match) were decisive and it ended goalless at the Stadium
Juventus And Milan they didn’t go beyond that 0-0 in the direct clash for second place for the 34th day of A league. The draw at the Stadium smiles on Pioli’s Rossoneri who remain the first of the chasing teams at +5 on the Bianconeri, but it is the result of decisive saves by Sportiello, Maignan’s deputy deployed after the French goalkeeper’s injury in the warm-up. There Juventus he tried with Vlahovic in the first half, then with Milik and Rabiot in the second half but without breaking down the AC Milan wall.
THE MATCH
The big spoils have already been awarded and Juventus and Milan, between those who have smelled it more and those less, only the honor of arms represented by second place remains up for grabs. In this sense, the match at the Stadium was a real direct clash which the Rossoneri, thanks to the five points more in the standings, were able to defend while also managing the absences in the defensive department, which were many and heavy. In fact, to the disqualifications of Calabria, Tomori and Theo Hernandez, Pioli added Maignan’s forfeit in the warm-up due to an adductor injury, opening the door as best on the pitch to Sportiello, who was decisive with at least four interventions to keep the clean sheet and secure, probably , second place.
Juventus tried harder in the last 30 minutes of the game, driven by the jolt of adrenaline brought onto the pitch by Chiesa on the wing, but they were unable to find a hole in the wall erected by Pioli’s team after the break and therefore found themselves feeling breathing down the neck of Bologna and Roma in fourth place. A victory for Motta’s rossoblù against Udinese would mean reaching 65 points, a scenario that Vlahovic in the first half with a free kick, but above all Kostic, Danilo and Milik in the second half were unable to avoid. The other sensational episode came at the end when Sportiello’s first mistake left Rabiot with a ball which Thiaw blocked on the line.
If for Pioli’s Milan, now called to challenge Genoa, Cagliari and Salernitana at home plus Torino away, qualification for the Champions League is a formality, for the Bianconeri – despite the talk of the fifth or sixth team in the main competition – the last days, starting from the next match against Roma, will all be to be experienced.
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REPORT CARDS
Vlahovic 5.5 – The biggest opportunity of the first half came with his free kick from the edge of the area which he won and kicked. He is very active and willing, but he often loses duels with Thiaw on the edge of the area and has no opportunities inside the sixteen metres. Irritated by the change, but bruised.
Weah 6.5 – With his speed he discourages Leao’s gallops, but it is surprising how he manages to stop the Portuguese several times even with timing and decision in the tackles.
Bremer 7 – He puts Giroud “in his pocket”, constantly anticipating him and winning all the physical duels, also favored by the center forward’s work with his back to goal. Against this type of opponent reference point it is always a certainty.
Church 6.5 – With his entry Allegri sends the signal to unleash hell in attack, trying to take advantage of Musah’s position and warning. He provides an assist to the kiss for Milik and lights up the Juventus counterattacks.
Thiaw 7 – First with Vlahovic and then with Milik he had a challenging evening both in terms of air and aggression. He always tries to take playing time away from his opponent, even risking some sliding interventions. Incredible face save on the line on Rabiot.
Leao 5.5 – As in the first leg, the battle is all with Gatti, the latter helped consistently by Weah and Cambiaso. The Portuguese never lights up and when he finds space he messes with the ball a bit, frustrating opportunities.
Door 7.5 – Sent onto the field without warning due to Maignan’s injury during the warm-up, he became the absolute protagonist of the match with at least four decisive interventions on Vlahovic, Kostic, Danilo and Milik respectively. A mix-up at the end ruined his performance.
Giroud 5 – Complicated match with Bremer’s marked marking throughout the match. He can’t play on the bank either on high balls or on ground balls.
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THE SCORESHEET
JUVENTUS-MILAN 0-0
Juventus (3-5-2): Szczesny 6; Gatti 6.5, Bremer 7, Danilo 6; Weah 6.5 (26′ st McKennie 6), Cambiaso 6, Locatelli 5.5, Rabiot 6, Kostic 6 (17′ st Chiesa 6.5); Vlahovic 5.5 (17′ st Milik 6), Yildiz 5.5 (36′ st Miretti 5.5). Available: Pinsoglio, Perin, Alex Sandro, Rugani, Djalò, Alcaraz, Nicolussi Caviglia, Iling Jr, Kean. All.: Allegri 6.
Milan (4-2-3-1): Door 7.5; Musah 6 (36′ st Bartesaghi sv), Gabbia 6.5, Thiaw 7, Florenzi 6; Adli 5.5 (17′ st Bennacer 6), Reijnders 5.5; Pulisic 5.5 (36′ st Chukwueze sv), Loftus-Cheek 6 (36′ st Zeroli sv), Leao 5.5; Giroud 5 (26′ st Okafor 5). Available: Maignan, Nava, Caldara, Simic, Terracciano. All.: Pegs 5.5.
Referee: Mariani
Markers:-
Warned: Musah (M)
Expelled: Nobody
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OPTA STATISTICS
Since his debut with Juventus (2017/18), Wojciech Szczesny has collected 100 clean sheets in 249 appearances for Juventus across all competitions – more than any other Serie A goalkeeper in the period.
Milan have conceded seven shots on target without conceding a goal in a Serie A match (seven vs Juventus): only against Roma (eight – in May 2013) and Siena (eight – in October 2006) have the Rossoneri conceded more in the mirror keeping a clean sheet in the last 20 seasons in the competition.
Milan have drawn 57 matches with Juventus in Serie A: only against Lazio (59) have the Rossoneri had more impact in the top-flight games.
Juventus have not scored in four of the last five matches against Milan in Serie A, as many times as in the previous 23 against the Rossoneri in the competition.
Milan has reached 70 points in the standings in this Serie A: that is, the same as those obtained in the entire last tournament.
Juventus have recorded four clean sheets in their last six league matches, as many as they had in their previous 17 in the tournament.
Milan remained unbeaten for four games in a row at the Allianz Stadium in Serie A (2W, 2D) for the second time in the top division: after the four away games against the Bianconeri between May 1991 and March 1994.
No team has impacted more matches than Juventus in 2024 in Serie A: seven, like Turin and Genoa.
Juventus is the team that has conceded the fewest goals in the first 15 minutes of the second half in this championship: three – or from 46′ to 60′.
Juventus ended the first half of a home match against Milan in Serie A with just five total shots for the first time since 19 September 2021 (four on that occasion).
Massimiliano Allegri reached 300 benches with Juventus in Serie A today: only Giovanni Trapattoni (402) has crossed this milestone with the Juventus club in the competition so far.
