Juventus: 4 keys to victory against AC Milan

Stop Brahim Diaz between the lines

22-year-old Brahim Diaz is starting to evolve into a key player for the Rossoneri. After notching eight goal contributions in 27 Serie A appearances last time out, Diaz has two in three games to start 2021/22 and he scored Milan’s second at Anfield.

The young Spaniard appears to have nailed down the number ten spot in Pioli’s ubiquitous 4-2-3-1 following the summer departure of Hakan Calhanoglu.

Admittedly, this isn’t a Milan side that boasts a major goal threat, especially in Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s absence, but Diaz is nonetheless their creator-in-chief. The slight Spaniard is superb at finding little pockets of space between the lines.

On Sunday, he’s likely to be the spare man in midfield. Although, I’m sure Allegri will utilise Adrien Rabiot in his hybrid function and ensure he’s as close as possible to Juve’s midfield pair to prevent Milan from overloading the middle of the park. However, you can bet your bottom dollar that Milan’s pivot will attract pressure from their counterparts, thus handing Diaz the freedom of Turin between the lines.

Juventus have to be shrewder in their approach than they were in the opening stages against Malmo. While they don’t necessarily have to man-mark Diaz, the Bianconeri midfield must screen the Spaniard and prevent vertical passes from arriving at his feet. If Diaz has the licence to turn and drive at the Bianconeri backline, the hosts are in big trouble.