Juventus, after a string of three consecutive draws in Serie A, secured a crucial 2-0 victory against AC Milan, propelling them back into the top four. This win was a much-needed respite for the Bianconeri, who had faced widespread criticism for their inability to secure victories, drawing 13 of their first 20 league matches and trailing league leaders Napoli by a significant 13 points. The pressure was mounting on newly appointed coach Thiago Motta, who replaced Max Allegri, to deliver results and justify his appointment. Club director Cristiano Giuntoli publicly acknowledged the team’s dissatisfaction with their performance and emphasized the urgent need for victories, even if achieved through less-than-stellar performances.
Adding further weight to the encounter was the recent Supercoppa Italiana final, where Milan had triumphed over Juventus earlier in the month. This victory marked a strong start for Milan’s newly appointed coach, Sergio Conceicao, who remained unbeaten since taking charge. However, both teams entered the match with key players missing. Juventus were without Francisco Conceicao, Arek Milik, Gleison Bremer, and Juan Cabal, while Milan faced the absence of Alvaro Morata (suspended) and a lengthy injury list that included Samuel Chukwueze, Alessandro Florenzi, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Noah Okafor, Christian Pulisic, and Malick Thiaw.
From the outset, Juventus displayed a determined approach, showcasing their intent with early long-range efforts from Samuel Mbangula and Teun Koopmeiners that narrowly missed the target, striking the crossbar. As Milan found their footing, they began to pose a threat, with Tijjani Reijnders nearly capitalizing on a well-executed corner routine. The remainder of the first half witnessed a flurry of chances at both ends, but neither team could break the deadlock. Juventus were forced to make a substitution at halftime, replacing the injured Kenan Yildiz with Tim Weah.
Weah’s introduction injected renewed energy into the Juventus attack. He immediately tested Milan’s goalkeeper, Mike Maignan, with a powerful shot, and followed up with another attempt that Maignan parried away. Juventus finally found the breakthrough when Mbangula’s curled effort deflected off Emerson Royal and found the back of the net. This goal deflated Milan, and Juventus quickly doubled their lead. Khephren Thuram intercepted the ball in midfield and delivered a perfectly weighted through ball to Weah, who expertly beat Fikayo Tomori before slotting a left-footed shot past Maignan. Milan’s late attempts to salvage the game, including efforts from Theo Hernandez and Francesco Camarda, proved futile, as Juventus held on to secure a vital three points.
Thiago Motta expressed his satisfaction with the victory, attributing it to the hard work and dedication of his players, who had overcome numerous challenges. He emphasized the importance of minimizing errors, highlighting the contrast between this performance and their previous game against Atalanta, where technical mistakes had bolstered their opponents’ confidence. Motta praised his team’s aggressive approach, which denied Milan time on the ball and disrupted their goalkeeper’s distribution, a key element of their play. He highlighted the energy and quality displayed by his players as key factors in their success.
This victory against Milan carries significant weight for Juventus, not only boosting their league position but also injecting much-needed confidence into the squad. Motta’s tactical approach, emphasizing aggression and limiting the opponent’s time on the ball, proved effective against a strong Milan side. The win serves as validation for his methods and provides a platform for future success. The contributions of players like Weah, whose introduction sparked the attack, and the defensive solidity displayed by the team offer further encouragement for Juventus.
Looking ahead, Juventus hope this victory, coupled with potential new signings, will ignite a winning streak as they prepare for upcoming challenges against Bruges, Napoli, and Benfica. The win against Milan provides a timely boost in morale and reinforces the belief that, despite the earlier setbacks and criticisms, Juventus possess the quality and resilience to compete at the highest level. The team will aim to build on this positive momentum and translate it into consistent performances in the upcoming fixtures, both domestically and in European competitions. The victory against Milan offers a glimmer of hope for a resurgence and a return to the dominant form that Juventus fans have come to expect.
