JUVENTUS v AC MILAN: OPPONENT REVIEW

A crossroads with a glimpse of Europe for AC Milan, who are aiming for a win in the great classic of Italian football against Juventus to consolidate as best as they can fourth place in the table and, consequently, a spot in the next Champions League. The Rossoneri face an opponent in a rather uncertain moment, not just because of their point deduction. In fact, the Bianconeri, defeated by Sevilla (2-1) and Empoli (4-1) in their last two matches, in the event of a possible defeat also against Pioli's men, would record three defeats in a row in all competitions for the first time since March 2011, in that case with Luigi Delneri in the dugout.

The "Old Lady", overall, has already lost nine matches in this Serie A campaign and the last time they recorded 10 in a single season was in 2010/11. A fluctuating season that has not affected Juve's strength at home, however, considering that Allegri's men are the team with the best home performance in the league (42 points in 18 matches), on par with Napoli.

A YOUNG JUVENTUS, BUT TRUE TO THEMSELVES. WATCH OUT FOR HEADERS
It is rather difficult to define the Juventus we have seen this season in Serie A: in fact, Allegri's team, from a tactical point of view and not only that, shows both points of contact with their past and some unexpected and interesting novelties. First of all, the power in the youth: only Empoli (six) have registered more players born from 2000 onwards in the scoresheet than Juventus (five) in this championship. A sign of how the freshness of new recruits have at times pushed even the most experienced core of the squad. Fourth in terms of shots on target (172) behind AC Milan (179), Juventus have shown great aptitude with headers, thanks to the 12 goals they have scored in this category, less only than Napoli (17): a particularly unpalatable situation for the Rossoneri, who have conceded 10 headers this season.

A common thread linking this Juve to their earlier versions is their ability to put the final minutes of the match to sleep, choosing to take as few risks as possible: this is another reason why the Bianconeri are the team who have conceded the fewest goals in the last half-hour this season (seven), an interval in which AC Milan have scored 25 times, fewer only than Napoli (32). Finally, watch out for extra time: Juventus and AC Milan (six goals each) are particularly prolific in extra time and promise sparks just before the full time whistle.

RABIOT-BREMER, PHYSICAL POWER AND A LOT OF... HEADERS
One of the few to have found concrete form this season at Juventus, Adrien Rabiot is a central pivot of the Bianconeri midfield. In a season so far played at the highest level, the Frenchman has scored 11 goals in all competitions in 2022/23: the last Juventus midfielder to score more in a single season was Arturo Vidal (18 in 2013/14). Also, to be taken into great consideration is his great physical strength in the aerial battle, a fact certified by the 86 aerial duels he has engaged in - at least 25 more than any other Juventus midfielder - and by the four headed goals he has registered so far this season: no other player has done better in the five major European tournaments (four also for Christoph Baumgartner).

Just as many goals in this particular category have been scored by Gleison Bremer, a true professor of the header: since 2019/20 the Brazilian has scored 10 goals with his head in the top five European leagues, a record among defenders shared together with Virgil van Dijk. Bremer is now a pillar of the Bianconeri's three-man defence, also thanks to his excellent ability in protecting the penalty area: the centre-back is first among the Bianconeri in defensive clearances (112) and in headers (64), a figure in which he is also fifth among defenders in the league.

The PUMA AC Milan Kits for the 2022/23 season are available: get yours now!