UNBEATEN RUN COMES TO AN END AGAINST JUVENTUS
Serie A
It had to happen sooner or later and did so in what would have objectively been considered the most tricky fixture with a number of players missing for the match against the reigning champions. After going 27 games unbeaten in the league, AC Milan lost 1-3 to Juventus at San Siro. Chiesa scored goals in both halves, Calabria temporarily equalised late in the first half while McKennie wrapped things up late on. The Rossoneri can’t have too many regrets considering the number of important players out and the quality of the opposition. The side gave it their all while showing character and pride, responding after going behind and resisting in the face of difficulties without ever giving up. In the end, the result went the way of the Bianconeri and it’s a shame but it’s now time to recover and go again and in the knowledge that things are going well. Despite this defeat, Milan remain alone at the top of the table following 16 matches on 37 points. The next match will be at 20:45 CET on Saturday 9th January when Torino visit San Siro.
SEE THE GALLERY FROM AC MILAN-JUVENTUS
MATCH REPORT
It was a frenetic start. In the second minute, Dybala missed the first big chance of the match from inside the six-yard box. After that, Milan started to create a lot. Leão’s placed effort went wide in the third minute, a powerful Hauge strike was blocked in the sixth minute before Castillejo's effort was too weak in the seventh to beat Szczęsny. Juve were then dangerous again with Chiesa hitting the post from the edge of the box in the 16th minute. It was him who opened the scoring in the 18th minute from a Dybala assist that sent him through and allowed him to place the ball into the bottom corner. Both sides continued to attack and it was end-to-end stuff. In the 22nd minute, Leão nearly found the corner before another attempt was saved by the goalkeeper in the 27th minute. Calabria and Çalhanoğlu in particular then had various attempts around the 30-minute mark. The well-deserved equaliser came in the 41st minute. Leão broke away down the wing before cutting the ball back to Calabria who stroked the ball into the top corner before half-time.
The second half got off to a lively start with Dalot shooting and Szczęsny was just about able to make the save. In the 55th minute, Ramsey missed from a great position and it continued to be an open match. In the 62nd minute, Chiesa suddenly scored his second with a clinical finish from the top of the rea that left Donnarumma with no chance. Milan started to struggle at this point and the lack of numbers available made the opposition changes especially impactful. In the 71st minute, Gigio denied McKennie but in the 76th minute, the American was set up by Kulusevski and he converted from close range. Çalhanoğlu kept going with some attempts from range and Díaz went down late in the box but it wasn’t a penalty for Irrati and the full-time whistle followed soon after.
AC MILAN 1-3 JUVENTUS
AC MILAN (4-2-3-1): G. Donnarumma; Dalot (81' Kalulu), Kjær (81' Kalulu), Romagnoli, Hernández; Calabria (81' Maldini), Kessie; Castillejo (87' Colombo), Çalhanoğlu, Hauge (67' Díaz); Leão. Subs: A. Donnarumma, Tătărușanu; Duarte, Musacchio; Frigerio. Coach: Pioli.
JUVENTUS (4-4-2): Szczęsny; Danilo, Bonucci, De Ligt, Frabotta (87' Demiral); Chiesa (63' Kulusevski), Bentancur (74' Arthur), Rabiot, Ramsey (74' Bernardeschi); Dybala (63' McKennie), Ronaldo. Subs: Buffon, Pinsoglio; Chiellini, Di Pardo; Fagioli, Portanova; Da Graca. Coach: Pirlo.
Referee: Irrati from Firenze.
Goals: 18' e 62' Chiesa (J), 41' Calabria (M), 76' McKennie (J).
Booked: 60' Bentancur (J), 72' Danilo (J), 89' Romagnoli (M).
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