Juventus are passing the ball around in midfield and defence – knocking it about with only one minute left in the contest. The match has been over for a long time now, and they’re just waiting to make it official. A truly deserved win for the away side who have been the better and more composed team over the 90 minutes.
90' +1
C. Zapata gets yellow.
Zapata has received a late yellow card for a lunging tackle on Blaise Matuidi who was in full sprint.
90'
Juventus have won themselves a free-kick which they will certainly use to wind down the clock further. Milan have shown no fight whatsoever since going two goals down and what was promising to be a great game has been reduced to a men against boys scenario.
87'
Milan supporters have started to vacate the Giuseppe Meazza in droves – a reflection of how they feel their side has performed on the day. Montella must be feeling the pressure of another pitiful result, and it seems as though the fans have lost confidence, just days after the Milan board gave the manager their full backing.
85'
Milan are once again in control of the ball but Borini’s early cross falls in between Kalinic and Silva, with neither making a move towards the ball and Chiellini was able to come across easily to head the ball away from danger. It has been a very limp performance by Milan in the second half.
83'
STAT: Milan have not come from behind to win a game in Serie A this year.
81'
B. Matuidi enters the game and replaces S. Khedira.
Max Allegri will bring Blaise Matuidi on in place of Sami Khedira.
78'
An Antonelli cross finds its way to the top of the box where Locatelli has a crack at it but the shot is weak and rolls out of play to the right of Buffon’s goal.
77'
André Silva enters the game and replaces H. Çalhanoğlu.
Milan’s third substitution is born out of desperation, as Montella throws Andre Silva into the fray to replace Hakan Calhanoglu who has not been able to get into the game.
75'
Milan have the ball once again in front of the Juventus penalty area but there are 11 Bianconeri shirts in the defensive third and Kessie’s cross to Kalinic is interrupted by Barzagli. The ball came back to Kessie but he was quickly dispossessed and now Juventus are on the counter.
Minute
Description
73'
ALMOST A THIRD! An out-swinging free-kick from the left was taken very well by Dybala and Chiellini was able to get a powerful header to it. The ball struck off the crossbar and sprung up and out for a goal-kick. The referee blew a late whistle signifying that the Italian defender was offside, and it would not have counted had it gone in.
71'
Alex Sandro enters the game and replaces K. Asamoah.
Kwadwo Asamoah, who was directly involved in Juventus’ second goal will be called to the bench and replaced by the usual starting left-back, Alex Sandro.
68'
Things have gone from bad to worse in this second half for Milan. They have not shown anything to inspire confidence since their chance at the end of the first half and it looks like this match will end up being a routine victory for Juventus.
65'
A. Barzagli enters the game and replaces S. Lichtsteiner.
Instantly after the second goal, Max Allegri makes his first substitution of the evening - a defensive one which sees Lichtsteiner replaced by Andrea Barzagli.
63'
G. Higuaín has scored a goal for Juventus! Assist by K. Asamoah.
Asamoah gets the assist after his centring pass set up Higuain for the goal.
AND IT’S A SECOND FROM HIGUAIN AFTER SOME BRILLIANT BUILD-UP! Asamoah found some space on the left after stepping around Borini. The Ghanian stepped inside and passed centrally to Dybala who let the ball roll through his legs for Higuain. The Argentine striker needed a touch to set himself up and then slotted the ball perfectly at the near-post. Once again Donnarumma had no chance and it’s now 2-0 Juventus!
61'
M. Locatelli enters the game and replaces I. Abate.
L. Antonelli enters the game and replaces L. Biglia.
Vincenzo Montella makes his first substitution of the day as Manuel Locatelli replaces Ignazio Abate.
Montella will also make his second change at the same time, introducing Luca Antonelli in the place of Lucas Biglia.
58'
Lucas Biglia’s long ball was hit into the penalty area – but not a single player in red and black was in the general vicinity. Another really poor ball from Milan’s holding midfielder who was not at his best in the contest against Inter either. He has been unable to properly link-up with his teammates all day and has wasted several good shooting chances.
56'
The corner was put into a great position on the penalty spot but Asamoah was there to head the ball away from danger. The ball played back in by Milan was a good one, but Kalinic was in an offside position.
55'
Juventus are retaining a great defensive shape and are forcing Milan to pass the ball around in order to find space. Suso has found some room to run in this instance, as the Spaniard enters the box and cuts the ball back for Kalinic but Lichtsteiner was aware and got his body in the way of the shot, blocking it out for a corner.
52'
Kessie takes a hopeful shot from outside the Juventus penalty area but the quick strike was never going to challenge Buffon.
50'
Cuadrado’s out-swinger doesn’t beat the first man and Higuain is dispossessed by Kessie and Milan have regained possession with a throw at midfield.
49'
Pjanic takes a corner and the ball finds Chiellini but his header is inaccurate but Milan are forced to clear behind for another corner, this time on the opposite side.
47'
Rodriguez hits the in-swinger but a diving Kessie cannot make contact with the ball and the danger is cleared into Milan's half for the Rossoneri to build again from the goalkeeper.
46'
Mandzukic fouls Suso in a dangerous area and Calhanoglu and Rodriguez stand over this free-kick.
45'
OFF THE CROSSBAR FROM MILAN RIGHT AT THE DEATH! A Ricardo Rodriguez cross fell to Suso who diverted it to Kalinic. The striker was falling back as he stuck his foot out to it and the ball went right off the frame of the goal and to Daniele Rugani who smashed it out for a corner kick. Oh so close to an equalizer right before halftime! Still 1-0 Juventus however.
Juventus gets the second half started!
44'
Suso did well to earn his side a throw-in after dribbling against Chiellini and keeping possession under the Italian international’s challenge. A free-kick is awarded to Juventus immediately after the ball enters play as Biglia kicked the shin of Paulo Dybala instead of making contact with the ball. That seems to have summed up Biglia’s first half.
41'
A cross in from Suso on the right is kept under control brilliantly by Kalinic who chests it down for a waiting Lucas Biglia. The Argentine holding midfielder takes a swing at it with the ball still in the air but the shot is extremely poor and it loops out for a Buffon goal-kick. A terribly wasted chance by a Milan side who cannot afford to let opportunities pass.
39'
The referee has brought play back and awarded a free-kick to Juventus halfway between midfield and the Milan penalty area after Calhanoglu ran into Pjanic. The free-kick was passed instead of crossed but the Milan defensive unit did well to dispel the danger and shield the ball out for a goal-kick.
36'
Milan’s slow and patient build-up around Juventus penalty area comes to naught as Suso cuts in from the right and takes a strike on the half-turn which is exceptionally weak and eventually finds its way into the hands of the waiting Bianconeri goalkeeper.
34'
It will be very important for Milan to keep their discipline. Beating Juventus at even strength is a difficult enough task on its own, but as Torino discovered, it is made almost impossible when at a numerical disadvantage.
32'
F. Kessié gets yellow.
Franck Kessie has been shown a yellow for a retaliatory tackle after the Milan midfielder was incensed that a Pjanic lunge on Suso was not given as a foul.
30'
It’s the same old story for Milan who once again have fallen behind to a side in the upper realms of the table. They were unable to lead against Roma or Inter, conceding first in both matches and went on to lose both. Montella will need to learn from those mistakes if he wants his side to earn any points in this contest.
27'
Asamoah once again takes up a very attacking position on the left but his rolling cross goes directly to the grateful hands of Donnarumma who instantly smothers to prevent a rebound.
25'
ALMOST AN INSTANT EQUALIZER! Borini gets free of Cuadrado on the flank and his centring ball to Kalinic was almost perfect but the Croatian striker at full lunge missed the pass by inches! So close!
23'
G. Higuaín has scored a goal for Juventus! Assist by P. Dybala.
AND ITS 1-0 TO JUVENTUS THANKS TO A FANTASTIC HIGUAIN STRIKE! Dybala received the ball in a central position just in front of the Milan penalty area and linked the ball to Higuain who touched to control it before blasting a shot into Donnarumma’s left-hand side. The young Italian keeper was at full stretch but was unable to get a hand to it as the placement was perfection. The away side lead here at the Giuseppe Meazza!
Dybala, who fed the ball to Higuain allowing him to strike on goal will be credited with the assist.
21'
Juventus are enjoying a spell of prolonged possession, knocking it about around the opposing penalty area before going back to the keeper. Dybala went down under the challenge of Rodriguez which was deemed fair and Milan won back the ball, only for Suso to play Kalinic offside and give it right back to the Bianconeri.
19'
Asamoah gives away a free-kick on the halfway line after going through the back of Suso. Milan have taken this opportunity to recycle the ball and pass out from the back before a misplaced ball rolls out for a Juventus throw-in.
17'
Kessie’s ball into the penalty area was directed at Kalinic who did well to get a touch on it despite being marked by both Lichtsteiner and Rugani. The Milan forward got a head to it but it looped over the crossbar and was never going to challenge Buffon.
16'
Cuadrado sent in a dangerous cross to the back-post but Abate was there to clear the danger and put it out for a corner-kick. The third of the day for Juventus. The ball falls at the far-post for Higuain but the Argentine striker was half a step behind and was not able to meet the ball to turn it in. Goal-kick for Donnarumma.
13'
Pjanic takes the free-kick but the wall does its job and Romangnoli flicks the ball out for a corner-kick which falls right to the head of a red and black shirt.
12'
Cristian Zapata gets his legs tangled with Mandzukic and the Croatian forward has won his side a free-kick just outside Milan’s penalty area. It appears as though the defender touched the ball before the man, but when you go in for a challenge from behind, you force the referee to make a decision.
11'
Milan have settled the better in the first ten minutes, pressing Juventus and causing errors in possession. They have had a couple of good early half-chances, but they will need to turn those opportunities into goals or risk going behind when Juventus eventually do find their feet.
9'
A Calhanoglu out-swinging corner was directed to nobody in red and black, and Rugani was allowed to clear the ball without any pressure. Milan however have regained possession and are slowly building their attack from the back.
7'
This set-piece is taken much better but Kessie could not get the required touch and a Juventus centre-back clears with a towering header.
6'
Milan are pressing quite high, trying to catch Juventus in possession in their own third. A nonchalant Buffon chip which tried to beat the press was dangerously blocked by a Milan forward and after the throw-in, Borini has won his side another free-kick in a dangerous area.
3'
Hakan Calhanoglu’s take is poor as it runs through to Buffon who gets a strong fist to it to punch it away from danger. A wasted early opportunity.
2'
Chiellini gives away an early foul near the right corner flag for a hit to the head on Kalinic. It is in a great position for an in-swinger and Milan. Let’s see if Milan can capitalize.
1'
Milan get this contest underway attacking from right to left!
Good evening and welcome to the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza in Milano for our live text commentary of Milan v Juventus!
Despite the large sum of money invested in the summer, Vincenzo Montella’s new-look AC Milan have not hit the ground running and are currently in 8th place. Results have gone against the Rossoneri recently, and the pressure is mounting on the manager after a run of one win in their last five matches. A 4-1 win over Chievo midweek did little to make amends for consecutive losses to Roma and rivals Inter before back-to-back scoreless draws against AEK Athens and Genoa. Milan will need to find goals from somewhere if they are to have a chance against a resurgent Juventus side.
Third place Juventus are only a win back of leaders Napoli, and a point behind second place Inter. A shock 2-1 loss to Lazio in Turin two weeks ago seems to have given the Bianconeri the wake-up call they needed. A Champions League victory over Sporting was followed up with a 6-2 annihilation of Udinese, and a dominant 4-1 victory over newcomers SPAL. Paulo Dybala has maintained his incredible start to the season and now the midfield are also contributing, with Miralem Pjanic netting in two of his last three games, and Sami Khedira scoring a hat-trick against Udinese.
Juventus can boast the best attack in Italy, averaging over three goals per game, but their once impenetrable defense has faltered slightly. They’ve conceded 10 goals in 10 games – a worse record than Napoli, Inter and Roma. Despite Milan scoring a lacklustre 16 times during this Serie A campaign so far, Juventus’ defensive record means that Milan’s forward line will have the opportunities – it is up to them to capitalize on their chances. Unfortunately for Montella, that is something they’ve struggled with, even with occasional magic from their diminutive Spanish play-maker Suso.
Milan starting XI (3-4-2-1): Gianluigi Donnarumma; Ricardo Rodriguez, Alessandro Romangnoli, Cristian Zapata; Fabio Borini, Lucas Biglia, Franck Yannick Kessie, Ignazio Abate; Hakan Calhanoglu, Suso; Nikola Kalinic.
With fifteen minutes to go before kick-off, the team news has been announced! Let's start with the home side.
Juventus substitutes: Mattia De Sciglio, Claudio Marchisio, Douglas Costa, Alex Sandro, Blaise Matuidi, Andrea Barzagli, Carlo Pinsoglio, Stefano Sturaro, Rodrigo Bentancur, Federico Bernardeschi, Wojciech Szczesny.
Juventus starting XI (4-2-3-1): Gianluigi Buffon; Stephan Lichtsteiner, Daniele Rugani, Giorgio Chiellini, Kwadwo Asamoah; Miralem Pjanic, Sami Khedira; Juan Cuadrado, Paulo Dybala, Mario Mandzukic; Gonzalo Higuain.
Juventus keep the same shape as last match, but Gianluigi Buffon replaces Wojciech Szczesny. Alex Sandro at left-back is benched for Kwadwo Asamoah and Giorgio Chiellini returns to the line-up ahead of Andrea Barzagli. Youngster Rodrigo Bentancur, who partnered Khedira has lost his place to Miralem Pjanic in the midfield. In the attacking third, Paulo Dybala and Gonzalo Higuain remain, while wingers Douglas Costa and Federico Bernardeschi – who scored a scintillating goal against SPAL – are replaced by Juan Cuadrado and Mario Mandzukic respectively.
Milan a couple of changes from their win over Chievo Verona including a formation switch. Vincenzo Montella has reverted to a back-three against Juventus instead of the traditional four that he employed against Chievo. Gianluigi Donnarumma keeps his place in goal but his defence in front of him has changed from a back four to a back three. Rodriguez and Romagnoli also maintain their place, and will partner Cristian Zapata – not Matteo Musacchio. Lucas Biglia remains in the heart of midfield beside Franck Kessie. Fabio Borini will play slightly further back today with Calhanoglu pushed forward up the pitch in a tactical alteration. Davide Calabria, the young right-back who featured against Chievo is also replaced by long-time servant of the club Ignazio Abate.
HALFTIME: Milan 0-1 Juventus
The Rossoneri high press has forced the Juventus defence into a number of precarious positions but Juve’s nous and Milan’s inability to capitalize meant that those promising chances were not taken advantage of. While the Bianconeri have certainly not been convincing in the first half, they definitely deserve their lead and Max Allegri can be happy that his team have something to build on going into the second period of play. As for Vincenzo Montella, his squad have been in this position before this season, but it will take a mighty display to get back into this one. Both sides have influential players waiting on the bench, and perhaps a substitution can alter the course of this tight contest.
Despite looking confident on the ball and having a number of half-chances, the home side go into the half-time interval a goal down. Milan started the better of the two, controlling possession and forcing Juventus to hit on the counter-attack but Juventus grew into the match as time elapsed and Higuain finally found the back of the net in the 23rd minute. Milan responded well to going a goal behind with a great Kalinic opportunity coming just minutes after the deadlock was broken. Milan’s best chance came right on the stroke of halftime, as a Ricardo Rodriguez cross fell centrally to Suso who played it into the box for an expecting Kalinic. The Croatian striker made contact with his foot as he was falling backwards and the ball struck the crossbar and was cleared by Rugani. It clearly did not manage to cross the line, but it was so very close!
FULLTIME: Milan 0-2 Juventus.
It was an extremely professional display from the Bianconeri who were value for their two goals and upon deciding the game was won, organized themselves beautifully to destroy any oncoming attack. Asamoah did well finding space on the left and the link-up play between Argentine forwards Higuain and Dybala for the two goals were enough to make the neutral salivate. Juventus for the time being go joint-top with Napoli, leap-frogging Inter. As for AC Milan, they remain in 8th place but could fall as far as 12th depending on how the rest of the match day goes.
The pressure mounts for Vincenzo Montella who was given the vote of confidence from the Milan board midweek. Fans started streaming out of the stadium with ten minutes to play, highlighting the apparent divide between the Rossoneri hierarchy and the supporters. A great win against Chievo was supposed to be the catalyst for improvement as we slowly edge towards the Christmas break, but Juventus had other ideas.
It was a thoroughly lacklustre performance by AC Milan whose best chance came to Kalinic on the stroke of halftime. Montella was unable to use his team talk to inspire confidence and his second half substitutions were ineffective to put it mildly. Gonzalo Higuain’s double was a pair of fantastically placed strikes that Gianluigi Donnarumma – despite good starting positions – had no chance of saving despite being in full stretch. Upon going two goals up Juventus effectively shut up shop, defending their penalty area with all eleven men and reducing Milan’s attack to a number of wayward crosses and hopeful shots from outside the area. Buffon was relatively untroubled all match and did not have to work up a sweat to earn his clean sheet.
Thank you for being with us and we hope you enjoyed today’s live text commentary of Milan v Juventus. We look forward to seeing you next time!
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