AC Milan and Juventus played out the opposite of a football classic at San Siro on Sunday night, with the Champions League rivals playing out a 0-0 draw.
Ahead of the game, the expectations were pretty low for this fixture, at least in terms of entertainment value. Massimiliano Allegri stressed the importance of Champions League qualification beforehand and with no desperation to keep their place, it was never going to be a high-octane game.
So, the first half ending goalless was not too much of a surprise. Milan did almost go into half-time behind, though, but Thuram was deemed to be off-side after a VAR check. A rare switch off at the back was almost punished.
The second period followed the same theme, with chances of any real quality few and far between. As was predicted, it was a game with very little risk and as a result, the rewards were minimal and shared in a 0-0 draw.
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First Half: Lacklustre opening
If the tone of the game was not already set before a ball was kicked, the two teams ensured that it was in the opening five minutes. The predictions of a low-octane game were confirmed, with both teams just looking to keep possession.
There were very few passes with much excitement, with the closest thing being an overly hopeful long ball from Matteo Gabbia. Even that was dubious, though.
A corner from Juventus actually gave the Rossoneri a chance to attack themselves. Strangely in its own right, Pierre Kalulu stepped up to deliver the ball, which was easily won by Allegri’s side. Luka Modric became the driving force to go forwards and the Croatian found Rafael Leao, who tried a quick give and go. However, it was unsuccessful.
Nevertheless, a welcomed sign of attacking life in a game that had otherwise lacked it in the first 10.
Shortly after, Christian Pulisic was given his own chance to stretch his legs and run at the Bianconeri’s backline. Released by Alexis Saelemaekers, he made somewhat of an unseen run down the right flank and he almost got between two defenders, attempting to cut in, but the ball was snatched well.
Everything positive about the visitors was coming from Khephren Thuram in the opening stages and he tried an ambitious one-two into the box. Thankfully, the return pass was cut out, if it hadn’t have been, the Diavolo would have been in real danger.
A very chess-like opening to the fixture, but that was the expectation.
His French opposite was given a chance to shake the game up shortly after. Youssouf Fofana picked the ball up in midfield and a nice touch sent him on his way towards the Juventus box. Rather than cutting it back, like he probably should’ve, he shot for goal without causing any concern for Di Gregorio. Perhaps a chance wasted in a game proving to have few so far…
He was inches away from creating another fantastic chance too, playing a beautiful through ball between the defence to Christian Pulisic. However, his ball had a bit too much venom in it and the American couldn’t get possession.
It seemed like it was a half for the French midfielders, with Adrien Rabiot taking the next big attempt of the half. As Milan have become so accustomed to, the Frenchman picked the ball up on the edge of the box and unleashed an effort – the first attempt on target all game.
Although it was saved well by Di Gregorio, it was another positive sign from the Diavolo.
However, it seemed that would not be the case for much longer. Thuram found Coinceicao on the flank, who did well to get to the byline. Once there, he fired a ball towards the far post, beyond Mike Maignan’s reach and Thuram was there to slot it home.
Fortunately, he was deemed to be off-side. A wake-up call for the Rossoneri who switched off defensively.
With a bit of life forced into the game, Milan looked to get their noses ahead straight away and after some nice work on the ball, Leao searched for Davide Bartesaghi with a ball into the box. But the Italian was not aware to it.
It was certainly not the Italian’s best minutes of the season, with him seeming slightly out of the game. Shortly before that, he was booked for a poor foul on Jonathan David and just after the chance he allowed the Canadian to get in behind him, forcing Maignan to make a big save.
To end the first half, Conceicao cut inside and had a tame shot on goal causing Maignan to make an easy save. A pretty good summary for the half, low risk and no rewards.
Second Half: A defensive battle
After a poor 45 minutes, Allegri opted to bring Pervis Estupinan into the game in the place of Bartesaghi, who was clearly struggling against his Portuguese opposition. It is worth noting that the Ecuadorian was expected to start the game originally, perhaps he should’ve been given the nod from the start.
As has often been the case this season, the Rossoneri came out for the second half with agression and Fikayo Tomori was almost playing as a centre forward in the first few minutes. However, this would have an effect with Juventus launching a counter attack after he was dispossessed.
Thuram, as he did in the first half, led the offence, but the Bianconeri could not punish on this occasion.
What followed was the first signs of Leao and Pulisic working as a duo. The pair, again, were trodding on each others toes, but they linked well and the Portuguese was sent on his way. A diagonal attack, the ball was worked to Saelemaekers on the edge of the box, and he unleashed a shot. However, the bar prevented him from opening the scoring.
Agonisingly close with the game springing into life. Clearly both managers had a bit to say at half-time.
Maignan was almost brought into action on the hour mark when Andrea Cambiaso found himself entering the box. However, his strike was slightly wide and slightly high. Very close to being an issue though.
In a rare change, Allegri opted to remove Pulisic first from the attacking pair, with Niclas Füllkrug taking his place after 62 minutes. Of course, Leao has not been too fond of being brought off first recently. So, it presented him a chance to prove to Allegri why he deserved a little longer on the pitch.
The change also saw the Rossoneri switch to the 4-3-3 system, as it so often has. At least going forward, Leao and Saelemaekers took positions on the wings, whilst Tomori shifted to right-back. An aggressive move from the Allegri, though it’s hard to provide a chess equivalent, if we’re following that theme.
Shortly after, Fofana was also welcomed to the bench by Allegri, with Samuele Ricci taking his place in central midfield.
Conceicao was proving to be a real threat for the visitors and he was persistently allowed chances to attack the box. However, Strahinja Pavlovic was proving to be an exceptional rival for him, with the Serbian regularly intervening as he cut in. A great battle and a sign of the defender’s growth.
After a nasty clash of heads, Luka Modric was subbed off with Ardon Jashari taking his place at the base of midfield. The stoppage also saw Leao leave the field, with Christopher Nkunku taking his spot on the wing.
Rabiot looked to inspire again as the game entered the final 10 minutes, combining nicely with Füllkrug, who had otherwise done little. A corner was won, but little was done with it.
Kenan Yildiz, who was a late substitute in the game, looked to create a bit of panic for Allegri’s side and got past Saelemaekers after some nice footwork. But he was stopped by Ricci, who showed his maturity in what could’ve been a dangerous situation.
The game fizzled out rather quickly after, with neither team offering much once the injury time was announced. As expected, a pretty poor game.
“In a rare change, Allegri opted to remove Pulisic first from the attacking pair”
What a load of BS! If you look at the stats from the whole season you’ll notice that Pulisic has been taken off first many times more. Just lately Allegri happened to take Leao off a couple of times (rightly so) but that’s all that counts, right? Not the full picture?
Clearly a result that suited both sides, certainly no complaints from me. Bit lucky with the offside goal but it wasn’t that close. Conceicao was dangerous against Bartesaghi, but that often seems to be the case… Salaemaekers really has to hit the target with his crossbar shot IMO.
Salaemaekers take was a really good hit, I have no complain about that.
But there was a chance in the 22 minute when Fofana had a developing attack at the right corner of the 18 yard box, Salaemaekers and Leao were clearly positioned for a cut back from him, but he blasted the shot into the stand, that missed opportunity was a sure goal in my assessment.
But on the crossbar hit by Salaemaekers, he did everything right, but needed a bit of luck to make it perfect.
Typical italian football. Play for defense, each team its too scare to play more attacking football. Too many back pass , just round and round in the middle..
I don’t think that was Italian football at fault, just the circumstances in the league meant not losing was more important for both teams than winning.
It’s the Italian mentality. I am laughing at the thought of Pep managing the national team.
This is classic catenaccio football. We have done it all season, its why players like Pulisic have not scored a goal in 16 games
Yess classic italian football. But in the pass, italian football have the quality / la bandiera like maldini, totti, del piero, di natale, buffon etc
No bro.. relaxx i meant spalletti and Allegri both of them are typical italian football. They are senior coaches in this league + Gasperini. The scheme of play that remind me 10-15 years ago. Only play for defense, play bad games but win the match / win only score 1-0. Thats italian football. The art of football games 🙏💯
I am finding this too tiresome to watch. And this was a marquee game for the weekend- LOL. So yes, arrivederci.
Being good at set-piece could’ve helped breaking the dead-lock, hence open up the game a little more (what makes Inter stands out IMO). That being said, a marquee centre forward is needed, coupled with a very good attacking midfielder and and a wide forward. Three CMs in a starting line up just won’t cut it. lastly, a change in formation. 4-2-1-3 would be perfect for this team.