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AC Milan 2-0 Juventus: Five things we learned – tactical solutions and individual brilliance

By Ivan Stoev -

After a rather disappointing performance and result against Chelsea, Milan had the tough task of hosting Juventus in an attempt to bounce back ahead of the return in the Champions League. 

There were a few changes to the XI compared to the game against Chelsea. Gabbia partnered with Tomori in the middle of the defence, allowing Kalulu to replace Dest on the right following his poor performance mid-week.

Up front, Diaz replaced Krunic on the right whilst Pobega got the chance instead of De Ketelaere, who also didn’t perform on the needed level against Chelsea. As a result, Milan played more with a 4-3-3 (see average positions here).

The game started off shaky for Milan but they eventually grew into the game and were more than Juventus could handle. In the dying minutes of the first half, it was Tomori who opened up the scoresheet after a corner kick to give his side the lead going into the break.

In the second half, it only took Milan ten or so minutes to double their lead after a lovely run by Diaz, which ended with him putting the ball into the back of the net. After that, it seemed near impossible for Juventus to come back as they offered little in attack with Milan having quite a few chances to increase their lead, but failing to do so.

Nevertheless, it was a big win going into the reverse fixture against Chelsea. Here are five things we learned after the game…

1. Dest will have to wait

Following his dreadful performance – to say the least – against Chelsea, Pioli was forced to seek out a solution to the problem as Calabria is still injured. This led him to deploy Kalulu in the right-back position which proved to be a great move as the Frenchman did very well.

The youngster neutralized Juve’s attackers as he seemed to have left the underwhelming performance against Chelsea behind him. He showed great pace and aggression to recover the ball and had some good moments going forward too. Surely he will be the starting right-back in the reverse fixture against Chelsea.

2. Gabbia slotting in well

Having moved Kalulu to the right-back spot, Pioli had to choose between Gabbia and Thiaw for the centre-back spot alongside Tomori. The Italian got the nod.

Gabbia had no trouble keeping Juve’s attack at bay as he looked really reliable and solid at the back alongside the more aggressive Tomori. There was actually a nice balance with him being between Kalulu and Tomori since the two are really aggressive and like to use their pace to press, but Gabbia doesn’t force himself into risky challenges and covers well for the two.

With this performance in mind, the Italian might have earned himself a second consecutive start in the mid-week game against Chelsea.

3. Welcome back, Theo

This Milan side is a completely different one with Theo Hernandez on the pitch. The Frenchman is as solid as you’d like defensively whilst also being a big threat going forward.

He’s also very versatile as he can go down the flank or cut inside, playing a bit more central which he did against Juventus. It will be an interesting game against Chelsea with Theo in the starting XI since Ballo-Toure wasn’t a particular threat last time out and he certainly lacked defensively.

4. Diaz delivers 

The Spaniard started instead of Krunic in that right-wing spot and he seemingly enjoyed having more of an inverted role than staying wide all the time.

With Brahim, we’ve gotten used to some really good performances followed up by a few not-so-spectacular ones, but against Juventus, the No.10 seemed determined to leave his mark as he had a lot of good moments which were topped off by the amazing solo goal he scored.

Following this performance, Pioli will have to consider if starting him against a side like Chelsea will play out in Milan’s favour since Diaz is really good at escaping the press and the coach could even get away with starting both him and De Ketelaere if he were to want a bit more firepower up front.

5. Back to high standards

After a game to forget in the Champions League, Bennacer and Tonali returned with a dominant performance against this Juve side as they left little to nothing for the Bianconeri.

The two were really calm on the ball, especially Bennacer and it must be said that the tactical change to include Pobega in a 4-3-3 also helped as he did well to impose his physicality and retrieve a lot of balls.

It must also be said that Theo and Kalulu were on another level compared to Ballo-Toure and Dest as the two Frenchmen offered a lot more stability which ultimately means that Tonali and Bennacer have less to worry about.

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Tags AC Milan Champions League Juventus Serie A

6 Comments

  1. “It must also be said that Theo and Kalulu were on another level compared to Ballo-Toure and Dest as the two Frenchmen offered a lot more stability which ultimately means that Tonali and Bennacer have less to worry about.” -Understatement of the century. Pioli needs to roll out the same back 4 against Chelsea, and if Kjaer is healthy maybe Kjaer instead of Gabbia.

    1. Could not agree more. There is a reason Maldini went for Botman – so he could move Kalulu to his natural position – RB. Theo and Kalulu on the wings are devastating. Kajer when healthy as you said will slot in w Tomori. That is our best line up. Would like to see how Aster performs in a midfield 3 with Benny and Tonali – I think he will shine. Play Diaz at RW or CDK and give Adli a go at CAM.

      1. I concur with giving the chance to Adli but in a 4-3-3 , without Jessie we lost muscle on the middle and having 3 midfielders could help, and we have a great variety of them

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