Having won seven of their eight Serie A matches this season, AC Milan go head-to-head with old foes Juventus, as two giants of Calcio convene at San Siro. While Milan entered the international break after a dramatic defeat of Genoa, Juve came out on top in the Derby della Mole and remain within four points of the Rossoneri. AC Milan must tackle a more traditional rival in Serie A, where shifting sands have seen Juventus lose their iron grip in recent years – indeed, Milan are undefeated in five league meetings with Juventus. They have not gone six unbeaten since a golden period at the end of the 1980s, but that could now happen.
Set to make his first competitive start for Milan this weekend, 40-year-old goalkeeper Antonio Mirante will be called upon by Stefano Pioli, as Mike Maignan must serve a suspension following his dismissal in Genoa and summer signing Marco Sportiello is injured. Pioli – a former Juventus defender – will also be without French full-back Theo Hernandez, who is also suspended, while Samu Chukwueze has picked up a hamstring injury and Ruben Loftus-Cheek’s participation is in doubt due to an adductor problem.
More positively, both Pierre Kalulu and Rade Krunic have used the international period to complete their recoveries, although it would be a surprise if either was fit enough to start such a big game. Featuring as part of the hosts’ front three, Christian Pulisic has scored four times in his first eight Serie A matches since joining from Chelsea; only four Milan players have reached five goals before their 10th league appearance since the mid-1990s: Andriy Shevchenko, Ronaldinho, Alexandre Pato and Carlos Bacca.
Juventus, meanwhile, have welcomed back first-choice forwards Federico Chiesa and Dusan Vlahovic following the break – both may start on the bench – but Brazilian defensive duo Danilo and Alex Sandro will be unavailable. Chiesa has been directly involved in more Serie A away goals against Milan than any other team, with three of his own and as many assists. Indeed, in all five of his league games versus the Rossoneri at San Siro, the Italy striker has played a part in at least one goal.
In addition to Danilo’s absence, Juve coach Max Allegri must make at least one more change to the XI that started against Torino, as young midfielder Nicolo Fagioli has been embroiled in Italian football’s betting scandal and is embarking on a seven-month ban.
Without a couple of key players due to suspension, Milan may be considered vulnerable. Nevertheless, the Rossoneri still possess an attacking trident that can pierce Juve’s watertight defence. One goal could decide a tight contest: in eight of the last 11 Serie A meetings between these teams at San Siro, at least one has failed to score.
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