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Juventus: 4 keys to victory against AC Milan

By James Cormack

STADIO GIUSEPPE MEAZZA, MILAN, ITALY - 2021/01/06: Federico Chiesa of Juventus FC celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Serie A football match between AC Milan and Juventus FC. Juventus FC won 3-1 over AC Milan. (Photo by Nicolò Campo/LightRocket via Getty Images)
STADIO GIUSEPPE MEAZZA, MILAN, ITALY - 2021/01/06: Federico Chiesa of Juventus FC celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Serie A football match between AC Milan and Juventus FC. Juventus FC won 3-1 over AC Milan. (Photo by Nicolò Campo/LightRocket via Getty Images) /
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Juventus are looking for their first Serie A victory of the 2021/22 campaign when they host AC Milan on Sunday night.

Unlike the winless Bianconeri, Stefano Pioli’s Rossoneri have enjoyed a stellar start to the domestic season. They’ve won three from three, impressing against Maurizio Sarri’s Lazio last weekend. They do, however, enter this bout off the back of their spirited 3-2 defeat to Liverpool at Anfield on Matchday 1 of the Champions League.

Despite their defeat, the Rossoneri manifested why they’ve re-established themselves as one of Italy’s best since Pioli’s arrival. Well-balanced, tactically astute and replete with character, they’re a huge test for Juventus this weekend.

How do the Bianconeri overcome such a proposition? Here are four keys to a Juventus triumph on Sunday.

Rediscover the press

Juventus’ out of possession approach has been a concern to start the season. (Photo by Andrea Staccioli/Insidefoto/LightRocket via Getty Images)
Juventus’ out of possession approach has been a concern to start the season. (Photo by Andrea Staccioli/Insidefoto/LightRocket via Getty Images) /

Massimiliano Allegri has all but discarded the concept of pressing in the early stages of his second reign. Through three Serie A games, Juventus have notched just 70 pressures in the attacking third – the sixth-lowest tally in the division. While the Bianconeri were hardly relentless high pressers under Andrea Pirlo (they ranked 11th in Serie A for attacking pressures last season), they did counter-press with some success.

Allegri, meanwhile, has opted to set his Juve side up in a 4-4-2 mid-block early on this season; one that distinctly lacks intensity and pressure on the ball-carrier. Juventus rank 19th in Serie A for tackles in the midfield (ten) and attacking third (three). In addition, they are also in the relegation zone for pressures in the midfield third (138). This is concerning as it means teams can easily retain possession against the Bianconeri, thus inhibiting their chances of establishing any sort of control in matches.

Pressing is the key to establishing control. Look at how Liverpool blitzed their way through Sunday’s opponents at Anfield. Milan’s pivot, Franck Kessie and Ismael Bennacer, both had their toughest nights in a Rossoneri shirt, while Theo Hernandez was completely stifled from an attacking sense. All thanks to the relentlessness and astuteness of Jurgen Klopp’s press.

So, while it’s unrealistic to expect Allegri to adopt a Kloppesque pressing scheme for Sunday’s encounter, Juventus must press Milan vigorously in spells. Otherwise, thanks to the natural overload they create in the build-up and the technical proficiency of their pivot, the Rossoneri will dominate. Thus limiting the hosts to moments in transition.

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