The five key battles that could win or lose the game for Milan against Juventus | OneFootball

Juventus versus AC Milan is without doubt one of the most significant rivalries in Italian football, and it will be contested for the third time this season tonight.

The first meeting was at San Siro and resulted in an awful spectacle and a 0-0 draw, but earlier this month Milan got the bragging rights. It was Sergio Conceicao’s first game in charge and the Rossoneri came from behind in the second half to win 2-1 and reach the Supercoppa Italiana final.

The Italian media have spoken about tonight’s rematch being ‘the guillotine’ with both sides pushing for a Champions League spot but continuing to drop points. While there are a lot of points up for grabs, this does feel like a watershed evening.

The five key battles

Looking into the main duels tonight, we start with the man who will have to lead Milan’s attack with Christian Pulisic injured: Rafael Leao. The winger’s relationship with Conceicao seems to be blossoming and the goal he scored against Como showed that he is still the man capable of magical moments when all looks lost.

His opponent will be Andrea Cambiaso, playing on the less favoured right side. What adds a layer of intrigue is that there are reports circulating from reliable sources both in Italy and in England stating that Manchester City are closing in on signing him for a fee north of €50m. Tonight, therefore, could be a farewell appearance.

Sticking on the same flank, Kenan Yildiz will renew his battle with Théo Hernández. As a reminder, Yildiz put Juve ahead in the Supercoppa semi-final in Riyadh as Theo’s defending left a lot to be desired, with the Turk getting in behind and lashing a shot past Mike Maignan at the near post.

More Stories / The Match

The five key battles that could win or lose the game for Milan against Juventus

18 January 2025, 12:50

GdS: Why Leao’s relationship with Fonseca never blossomed and what’s different with Conceicao

18 January 2025, 12:00

GdS: Predicted XIs for Juventus vs. Milan – chances for Bennacer and Gabbia

18 January 2025, 11:20

Since then, Theo has picked up a bit and with his equaliser against Como he has scored 30 goals in Serie A, becoming the first defender in Milan’s history to reach this milestone in the competition (overtaking Paolo Maldini). While attacking threat is a big part of his game, defensive attentiveness has to take priority today.

Moving into the centre, Juve are still waiting for the best version of Teun Koopmeiners since his big-money arrival, but he does like playing against Milan. He has been involved in four goals in his last five games against the Rossoneri (three goals and one assist) and against no Italian opponent has he scored more.

He will be in the playmaker position, with Youssouf Fofana the man who will be tasked with being the ‘breakwater’ in front of the defence. The Frenchman has been a bit more sloppy in recent weeks, perhaps due to understandable fatigue, but for now he must continue to be the protector of the rearguard who can move the ball quickly and vertically.

While they may not be the two most technically gifted players on the field, the all-American contest on the right between Weston McKennie and Yunus Musah will be one to watch. McKennie will play at left-back as per reports, which is not his natural midfield spot, and will be tasked with offering width in attack, where he has a knack for assists.

Photo by Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images

Musah’s role on the other hand will be intriguing to monitor. It is possible that he will play as a genuine right winger, like in the Supercoppa comeback where he generated the own-goal, but he may also play as a wing-back like against Real Madrid, or even tuck into midfield to form a diamond and compact the middle.

Finally, we concluded with a big chance for Tammy Abraham, who will lead the line in Alvaro Morata’s absence. Having played a hand in the winning goal against Como and after being the hero in Saudi Arabia, his confidence should be high despite a couple of big misses in the Cagliari draw. He hasn’t had many starts, so must grab this opportunity with both hands.

Given his tendency to drop into midfield and participate in the build-up phase, as well as his dangerous movement in the box, it is likely that Pierre Kalulu will be tasked with thwarting him, with help from Federico Gatti of course. Little needs to be said about Kalulu, who was let go by Milan in the summer and now seems to be heading for a permanent move there.