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The game against Milan in April 2024 was one of Massimiliano Allegri’s last matches as Juventus manager, and now he will return as an opponent.
In between came Allegri’s season of inactivity, while Juventus and Milan struggled more than they should have. Both teams chose to revamp themselves this summer and now a different game is expected compared to that boring draw last April.
Max is now in charge of league-leading Milan, having scored nine goals in five league games and conceded three, two fewer than the Juventus defence. After overcoming the champions Napoli, the next Rossoneri test is a test of skill: how to surprise Juventus.
The coach knows the Bianconeri’s material from having studied it over the years in Turin. Sure, a lot has changed, but not everything. And Max can use the advantage to seek a fifth consecutive victory in Serie A.
If the victory over Napoli earned them first place, jointly with Roma and Antonio Conte himself, leaving the Allianz Stadium with three points would be proof of a theory that is gaining traction: Milan is already competitive for the Scudetto.
Potential changes
Allegri could make defensive alterations due to Fikayo Tomori’s injury, but it’s in other areas that he is looking for potential winning solutions. For example, on the flanks, trying to make Alexis Saelemaekers a thorn in the side of Juve defence.
Alexis has already scored a goal against Napoli and put in a series of good performances as a wing-back. It’s in Allegri’s AC Milan that the Belgian has finally found his rightful place: on the right side five-man midfield, supporting the defence and supplementing the attack.
In this highly practical role, Alexis has earned the respect of several clubs, including Juventus itself. Last summer, the Bianconeri management would have gladly welcomed him to Turin, even in the Dusan Vlahovic deal. They would have given Vlahovic to Milan to get him, but Saelemaekers stayed.
Attacking the giants
Max will use the speed of Saelemaekers and above all that of Pulisic, the other ‘little guy’ in the Rossoneri attack. Pulisic is a 177cm-tall player of quality against the physical power of Bremer, if, as it seems, he recovers.
Christian’s talent has so far produced six goals and two assists in seven total games. Even if he were marked by Federico Gatti or Lloyd Kelly, other 1.90m giants, Pulisic could exploit his skills in tight spaces. He could also throw opponents off balance with his quick execution, dribbling, and sprinting.
He is free to roam and hurt the Bianconeri rearguard. A strength-versus-talent duel would also be played out with Rafael Leao and Christopher Nkunku, two possible options in the running to partner Pulisic.
Leao isn’t in top form, but during a counter-attack against Napoli, he forced seven opponents to run around after him. Nkunku is also waiting for another opportunity after his Coppa Italia victory, which he rewarded with an acrobatic goal.
The need for size
Milan’s muscles will have to be flexed by Youssouf Fofana, the midfielder most dedicated to defensive play. Allegri could ask him to double his efforts: covering the defence and behind Modric, who is more focused on build-up play.
It would be a favour returned: against Napoli, Modric and Rabiot were the Rossoneri midfielders who clocked the highest mileage. Adrien clocked exactly 11.319km, while Modric clocked 11.094km. Fofana, also due to his substitution with ten minutes remaining, clocked 9.012km.
Max shouldn’t change his three midfield pillars, but Fofana will need to be even more supportive. Modric should just have to build things at his own pace, not requiring another 97-minute effort like last Sunday’s, with Milan down to ten men and Luka both a playmaker and a defence shield.
Max will also rely on the resourcefulness of someone who, like him, knows many of his opponents’ secrets: Rabiot, another former Juventus man.
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