Juventus 1-1 AC Milan: 3 key takeways as Bianconeri remain winless in Serie A

The risk of Allegri’s ploy

Unfortunately, a different Bianconeri turned up for the second period. Clearly instructed by their manager to sit deeper, contain the visitors and hit them on the break, Juventus were a shadow of their fluid and intense first half iteration.

While Allegri’s ploy was understandable considering Milan’s absence of their two primary goalscorers and their vulnerability in defensive transition, the hosts ceded too much of the initiative after the break.

Milan may have only penetrated Juve’s 4-4-2 block one before their eventual equaliser (Diaz receiving in the right half-space before working his way into the box), but Sunday’s eventual outcome was the perfect example of the danger of Allegri’s altered approach. Juve’s own inability to retain possession meant Milan gained more and more control, and after Ante Rebic superbly equalised with his head from a Sandro Tonali corner, the Old Lady didn’t know how to respond. They were stunned.

Juve had outlets on the pitch, including Federico Chiesa, but they continued to play within themselves despite having to chase a winner. The result: a disjointed end to proceedings with the hosts clinging on for a point. Rebic and Pierre Kalulu had chances to win it for the Rossoneri, while Juventus could barely lay a glove on their increasingly confident opponents.

Allegri’s substitutions also came under scrutiny. While there was nothing wrong with the players he brought on, it was certainly a surprise to see their creator-in-chief Dybala hauled off and the entirety of their fatiguing midfield, all of whom started against Malmo, remaining on the pitch. Allegri had Aaron Ramsey and Weston McKennie as bench options, too.

Manuel Locatelli’s tepid free-kick that barely reached the Milan box late on epitomised Juventus’ laboured second-half effort.