TEN‑MAN ROSSONERI UNFORTUNATE IN DEFEAT TO JUVE
Serie A
AC Milan fought hard but were beaten 1-0 by Juventus on matchday nine in Serie A. At San Siro, the Rossoneri displayed determination, desire, heart and a spirit of sacrifice but fell just short. Locatelli’s goal sealed AC Milan’s first loss of the season after a match where the Diavolo had to play an hour with ten men. Thiaw’s sending-off before half-time brought about a change in plans for Coach Pioli’s men, who had looked in control up to that point. The team inevitably had to dig in after the restart, although they also did their best to pose a threat in attack.
However, the Rossoneri found it difficult to consistently trouble the Juve defence and create clear chances, with fatigue in the latter stages certainly not helping. In front of Mirante, who produced a solid performance between the sticks on his first-ever start for AC Milan, Kalulu made a welcome return, while Luka Romero also got some playing time in the second half. Despite the defeat, there are positives to take from the evening, including the group’s reaction to the incidents that went against them and the desire to fight until the very end. Now, attentions will turn to the next fixture: on Wednesday 25 October, the Rossoneri will face Paris Saint-Germain at the Parc des Princes in the Champions League. Come on, boys!
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MATCH REPORT
AC Milan started off with the right energy. The first chance fell to Reijnders, who in the 6th minute of the game opted for power, but the midfielder's effort was off target. The Rossoneri persisted: after 14', Leão crossed into the near post for Giroud, who controlled, spun and got his shot away, only to find Szczęsny get down well and flick the ball behind for a corner. The Bianconeri replied around the half-hour mark, first with Kostić's left-footed shot from distance (23'), and then through Rabiot's run forward (34'), whose shot from the edge of the box failed to trouble Mirante. On 40', the turning point in the game came, with the Rossoneri down to ten men for Thiaw's foul on Kean, who was judged to be the last man. In the closing stages of the half, the same number 18 for the away side missed the target from close range, following an inviting cross by Kostić. The sides went in 0-0 at the break.
The second half started off again with AC Milan on top, controlling possession, but this time without forcing the play. It was the visitors who took the lead, through, on 63 minutes, with Locatelli’s effort from nearly 30 yards out taking an unfortunate, but decisive, deflection off Krunić. Substitutions didn’t change the tempo of the game, with the home side looking to surprise the Bianconeri backline through Leão’s pace. Juventus came back to cause some worry in the Rossoneri defence between the 75th and 78th minute, with two volleys attempted by Locatelli, blocked, and then Gatti, inaccurate. AC Milan, meanwhile, went into the final stages looking rather unbalanced as they searched for an equaliser, but without ever really threatening. In the dying minutes, Mirante stepped up to the plate with some fine saves, first tipping over Vlahović’s well-struck hit for corner in the 86th minute, and then making a double save from Cambiaso and the Serbian’s follow-up one minute into stoppage time. It ended 0-1.
MATCH DETAILS
AC MILAN 0-1 JUVENTUS
AC MILAN (4-3-3): Mirante; Calabria (79' Kjær), Thiaw, Tomori, Florenzi; Musah, Adli (60' Krunić), Reijnders (79' Romero); Pulisic (43' Kalulu), Giroud (60' Jović), Leão. Subs: Bartoccioni, Nava; Jiménez, Pellegrino; Pobega; Okafor, Traorè. Coach: Pioli.
JUVENTUS (3-5-2): Szczęsny; Gatti (78' Huijsen), Bremer, Rugani; Weah (84' Miretti), McKennie, Locatelli, Rabiot, Kostić (56' Cambiaso); Milik (78' Chiesa), Kean (56' Vlahović). Subs: Perin, Pinsoglio; Iling-Junior, Miretti, Nicolussi Caviglia, Nonge; Yildiz. Coach: Allegri.
Referee: Mariani from Aprilia.
Goals: 63' Locatelli (J).
Booked: 52' Weah (J), 61' Reijnders (M), 67' McKennie (J), 71' Gatti (J), 72' Locatelli (J).
Sent off: 40' Thiaw (M).
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