AC Milan 0-1 Juventus: What Were The Key Talking Points As The Old Lady Lay Down A Heavyweight Marker In Milan?

With all eyes from across Italy falling on the San Siro on Sunday night, Juventus laid down a major statement of intent as they snatched a 1-0 victory away at AC Milan.

In a showdown that was often a cagey affair for large spells, it was Malick Thiaw who found himself at the centre of the biggest controversy in Milan as the young AC defender was shown a straight red card for hauling down Moise Kean and denying a clear goalscoring opportunity just five minutes before the half-time break.

Cashing in on their one-man advantage and laying down a real marker, Massimiliano Allegri’s side will certainly take a string of positives away from a rugged performance outside of Turin.

It was eventually ex-Milan starlet Manuel Locatelli who proved to be the match-winner against his former employers as the Italian international saw his deflected second-half strike fly past the helpless Antonio Mirante.

Really impressing on either side of October’s international break, Sunday’s victory means that the Old Lady now sit just two points adrift at the top of the Serie A standings.

Putting in what was a toothless performance here and always facing an uphill battle following Thiaw’s first-half red card, AC Milan will now have to go back to the drawing board as they watched their unbeaten start to the 2023/24 campaign come to an abrupt end.

In what was a heavyweight showdown from the San Siro on Sunday night, we have taken a look at the key talking points.

Juventus have turned a real corner

Dealing with a string of public issues behind the scenes last season and hit with another points deduction, many across Italy were wondering if Juventus would show any signs of a hangover this time around.

However, although the Old Lady might have opened up the 2023/24 campaign tipped as a real underdog to get their hands on a first Serie A crown since 2020, Allergi’s side should find the mood in their camp at a recent high.

Heading into October’s international break with a routine 2-0 win against Torino, Juventus have collected 10 points from their previous four Serie A appearances and they have created a real platform to build on.

Marking their return from the fortnight interval with a major statement here, Sunday’s guests could be dreaming of the chance to mount a genuine title charge this season.

With Sunday’s 1-0 victory now meaning that they are just two points adrift of new leaders Inter Milan, Juventus have also not shipped a single domestic strike in in over 360 minutes of action.

AC Milan come crashing back down to earth

While AC Milan might be facing a real uphill battle in their bid to punch a Champions League knockout stage ticket this season, Sunday’s hosts were enjoying a hugely impressive start to the new Serie A campaign.

Heading into October’s international break with a rugged 1-0 victory away at Genoa and unbeaten in any of their first eight top-flight appearances, the former Italian champions were smelling the chance to make another statement here.

However, watching their stellar start to the 2023/24 campaign come to an abrupt end this weekend, AC Milan don’t have time to feel sorry for themselves.

Missing out on the chance to widen their buffer at the top of the Serie A table at the San Siro, Stefano Pioli’s side face a quick turnaround before they turn their attention back to Champions League duties in a few days time.

Facing a stern examination when they travel to French giants PSG, the Rossoneri will be desperate to prove that Sunday’s toothless performance was nothing more than a minor blip.

Leao struggling to reach top gear

Although Sunday’s 1-0 loss might be the only Serie A defeat that AC Milan have suffered since opening up the new campaign, there have been some growing concerns over Rafael Leao’s sluggish start to proceedings.

While the Portugal international might have gained a string of praise from across the continent last season as he was crowned the Serie A Player of the Year, Leao has struggled to find a similar level this time around.

Failing to cause Juventus’ rugged defence many real questions here, the 24-year-old has failed to find the net in any of his previous seven appearances for both club and country.

Enduring what has been his longest drought since really bursting onto the scene last season, Pioli will know that he must find a way to get the Rossoneri’s attacking talisman back firing on all cylinders.

Ahead of what looks set to be a heavyweight trip to the French capital in midweek, the one-time Lille starlet will have some mounting pressure on his shoulders.

Match Report

AC Milan: Mirante, Calabria, Thiaw, Tomori, Florenzi, Musah, Adil, Reijnders, Pulisic, Giroud, Leao

Subs: Romero, Krunic, Kjaer, Kalulu, Jovic

Juventus: Sczczensy, Gatti, Bremer, Rugani, Kostic, Rabiot, Locatelli, McKennie, Weah, Milik, Kean

Subs: Chiesa, Cambiaso, Huijsen, Miretti, Vlahovic

Goals: Locatelli (63’)

Yellow Cards: AC Milan: Reijnders – Juventus: McKennie, Gata, Weah, Locatelli

Red Cards: Thiaw (40’)

Referee: Maurizio Mariani