A new historic clash will take place this Saturday, the 23rd, when Milan receives Juventus for the 13th round of Serie A at San Siro. Although both are out of the top 4 in the standings, both have stories and expectations that go beyond numbers. On one side, Milan, under Paulo Fonseca, seeks consistency. On the other hand, Juventus is led by Thiago Motta with the burden of an unbeaten record and tries to overcome key absences.
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Two teams with different styles-the incisiveness of Milan's attack and Juventus' almost perfect defense-make the match a test between philosophies and distinct strategies.
Milan: Creative Attack and Defensive Problems
The Rossoneri enter the match with 18 points, coming from 5 wins and 3 draws. Although they are in seventh position, the attacking game has been one of the brightest points of this team, averaging 1.9 Expected Goals per game. Under Paulo Fonseca, Milan has stood out for creating scoring opportunities and fully utilizing the skills of players like Rafael Leão and Tijjani Reijnders.
Reijnders, in particular, is in great form. He has five goal involvements in the last four matches and has become an important piece in the attack. Rafael Leão, however, remains the chief creator of the team, having made 74 successful dribbles in 2024. His dribbling skills, coupled with his finishing, may prove to be the factor that decides the match against Juventus' compact defense.
On the other hand, Milan is still fragile in defense. Though scoring three goals each against Real Madrid some time ago and Cagliari recently, they have also conceded three in each mentioned game. This fragility in defense, particularly up against a tactically balanced team like Juventus.
Juventus: Iron Defense and Adaptability Under Thiago Motta
On the Bianconeri side, the unbeaten record in Serie A so far reflects Thiago Motta's meticulous work. With 6 wins and 6 draws, Juventus currently has 24 points and sits in sixth place. The defensive solidity has been the main strength of the team so far; 9 clean sheets out of 12 matches are an impressive achievement even with important injuries.
Juventus has conceded only 0.6 Expected Goals per game, the best in the league. Motta has installed a system that relies on strong possession-a high 61.6%-and compactness without the ball. Even with key absences, such as Bremer and Vlahovic, Juventus is solid and adaptable.
The youthfulness of Timothy Weah and Gabriele Yıldız brings dynamism and speed to the attack. In the absence of a true center-forward, Juventus will be expected to work on constant movement and flank attacks to capitalize on Milan's defensive weaknesses.
The Battle of Strategies
Milan tries to attack in an artistic manner, while Juventus is performing with impeccable defense, calculating every offensive play. The numbers certainly confirm that contrast: Milan creates the most chances in Serie A, while Juventus allows the fewest.
Coach Paulo Fonseca emphasized in his press conference the importance of players like Rafael Leão and Álvaro Morata being at their peak to overcome Juventus’ defense. Thiago Motta, in turn, highlighted the need to pay special attention to Milan’s quick transitions, acknowledging their offensive potential.
Absences and Adjustments
Both teams have some very important absences: Milan will not have Jović, but Camarda and Gabbia have been confirmed options, while Juventus will also need to do without Vlahovic, Bremer, Milik, etcetera. Given all these absences, Thiago Motta is preparing to send a young defensive sector onto the field with a light but versatile attack.
History and Motivation
This will be the 179th Serie A meeting between Milan and Juventus, with the Bianconeri leading the series with 68 wins to Milan's 53 along with 57 draws. Juventus have won all their last five league matches against Milan following international breaks, adding a psychological factor to the encounter.
San Siro, however, has been a tough venue for visitors in recent seasons. Milan hopes to leverage home support to end their losing streak against Juventus and reaffirm their strength as a contender for the top positions.
What’s at Stake
Beyond the prestige, this match brings direct implications for both teams’ ambitions this season. With Serie A being highly competitive, every point counts in the race for European spots.
For Milan, the victory would mean more than just three points; it will be a signal that they are finally ready to fight on equal terms with the league's best. For Juventus, avoiding defeat would prove that the team has the depth and the resilience to overcome any kind of obstacle.