AC Milan vs Juventus Match Preview
Milan are in formidable form as they prepare to host Juventus in Serie A's derby of the aristocracy. Both these teams have an impressive haul of domestic and European honours between them, and both represent Serie A's establishment that refuses to lose its reputation despite scandal and intrigue.
Milan are without Ronaldinho, Thiago Silva, and Gianluca Zambrotta, meaning Robinho will deputize for his compatriot in attack, while Sokratis, the young Greek defender, will get the nod in the center of defence to cover for Thiago Silva. Luca Antonini and Daniele Bonera will start as the full-backs.
In midfield, Milan will start with a resurgent Gennaro Gattuso, Andrea Pirlo, and Kevin-Prince Boateng, a trio that impressed coach Massimiliano Allegri in a 2-1 win over Napoli on Monday.
Finally, Robinho will be in attack alongside Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Pato. Pato was conspicuous in the Napoli game because he often was too selfish in the final third of the field, failing to make the simple pass to an open teammate. The Brazilian often tries to do much when he needs to do the simple things correctly.
Juventus are missing Vincenzo Iaquinta and Milos Krasic, the Serbian sitting out two games for a dive against Bologna. Amauri returns from injury but will probably not figure just yet, meaning Alessandro Del Piero will get his place alongside Fabio Quagliarella.
Alberto Aquilani and Felipe Melo will be in midfield, while Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci will start in defence.
The most interesting battle will take place between Ibrahimovic and Chiellini, who are no strangers to each other from previous encounters when Ibra was at Inter and as teammates at Juve.
This game has all the ingredients for a thrilling encounter, and I do not think it will disappoint. It should end as an eventful 1-1 draw.
AC Milan vs Juventus Match Report
Juventus upset the form book and took home three points against a Milan side that did not play poorly, but one that was wasteful on several occasions.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic started things off with a shot that hit the crossbar. Those were promising signs for Milan, but it was Juventus who took the lead in the 24th minute. Paolo De Ceglie delivered a cross for Fabio Quagliarella to head home.
Milan pressed ahead with purpose, but Juve were resolute in their defending. In the 65th minute Alessandro Del Piero added another when Luca Antonini, who played terribly throughout, lost the ball to Momo Sissoko, who, despite initially fumbling, found Del Piero, and the Juve icon converted with a low shot past Christian Abbiati in the Milan goal. That goal marked Del Piero's 179th strike for Juve, making him the club's all-time top-scorer.
Ibrahimovic added one more for Milan late in the game from a header, but it was to be Juve's night.