JUVENTUS v AC MILAN: OPPONENT REVIEW

With the derby behind them, AC Milan must turn a page immediately as they face another historic rival: Juventus. This fixture brings up the glorious past for Rossoneri fans, such as the Champions League final in Manchester on 28 May 2003 or the 7-1 win in Torino in Serie A on 5 February 1950. The Bianconeri arrive at this clash with good spirits after getting through to the Coppa Italia final, eliminating Lazio with a goal from Milik.

Both sides are aware that this game means a lot, not just for second in the standings - given that they are separated by only 5 points in the table (69 for the Rossoneri and 64 for the Bianconeri) - but also to put distance between themselves and those behind them. Moreover, after nine consecutive away defeats against Juventus in Serie A, AC Milan have been unbeaten in the last three league games at the Allianz Stadium (2W, 1D); the Rossoneri have only once before managed not to lose in four consecutive away games against the Bianconeri in the league: between May 1991 and March 1994.

JUVENTUS' SOLIDITY AND PHYSICALITY IN DEFENCE
Even if they're not on their best run of the season, Juventus still has the second-best defence this season (equal to Bologna) with 26 goals conceded. The stats show that Allegri's side are solid in their own box, so much so that they have suffered the least shots from within the 18 yards this Serie A season (191). On the other hand, the Rossoneri could try to be dangerous from a distance, given that the Bianconeri have been hit with 190 shots from outside the box, more than any other side this season. In practice, Juve allows shots from a distance but are compact when defending in the last 18 yards. Allegri's side are also very "physical", they have the second-highest percentage of tackles won in Serie A 2023/24: 51.7%, lower only than Inter.

DANGEROUS DUO - VLAHOVIĆ-CHIESA
Dušan Vlahović and Federico Chiesa have been the most important attackers for Juventus this season. Stefano Pioli should know them fairly well since he coached them both in Florence. Chiesa picked up 66 appearances and 12 goals in Serie A under Pioli at Fiorentina between 2017/18 and 2018/29: his record both for games and goals with a single coach across his career in the top flight. The Serbian, on the other hand, played his first games in Serie A with the Rossoneri coach in charge between September 2018 and April 2019. The Rossoneri should pay much attention to Dušan Vlahović, given his brilliant run of form and the only player to have scored in double figures in Serie A in 2024.

An interesting fact, though, is that the 2000-born player has never faced AC Milan at the Allianz Stadium in the league, whilst he made 4 goal contributions in 4 home games for Fiorentina against the Rossoneri in Serie A (2 goals and 2 assists). Moreover, he has been involved in 7 goals in his 8 home games in Serie A against sides ranking in the top two of the table: 4 goals and 3 assists. If Vlahović is the ice-cold finisher for Juventus, Federico Chiesa is constantly establishing his spot as a second striker beside him, always sticking closer to the goal. The 1997-born player lights up against the Rossoneri, he has taken part in 6 goals against AC Milan in Serie A (3 goals and 3 assists) and hasn't done better against any other side, equal to Bologna, Udinese, and Sassuolo.

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