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Milan 0-0 Juventus: 3 key takeaways from Sunday night’s unwatchable stalemate

By James Cormack

MILAN, ITALY - JANUARY 23: Pierre Kalulu of AC Milan ands Paulo Dybala of Juventus during the Italian Serie A football match between AC Milan and Juventus at San Siro Stadium in Milan, Italy on January 23, 2022. (Photo by Piero Cruciatti/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
MILAN, ITALY - JANUARY 23: Pierre Kalulu of AC Milan ands Paulo Dybala of Juventus during the Italian Serie A football match between AC Milan and Juventus at San Siro Stadium in Milan, Italy on January 23, 2022. (Photo by Piero Cruciatti/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images) /
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Daniele Rugani, take a bow

Daniele Rugani was the Man of the Match on Sunday night. (Photo by Mattia Ozbot/Getty Images)
Daniele Rugani was the Man of the Match on Sunday night. (Photo by Mattia Ozbot/Getty Images) /

Allegri’s plan meant Juve’s backline was destined to come under heavy fire. Fortunately, the hosts lacked firepower even if their pressure was occasionally sustained and the Bianconeri’s defence was able to hold firm.

And despite the presence of Giorgio Chiellini, who produced a low-block masterclass on his last start in the Supercoppa, it wasn’t the wily veteran who stole the show. Alongside him, Daniele Rugani, once outcasted and regarded as “not Juventus level”, enjoyed a career performance at San Siro. The Italian was somewhat fortunate to have started Sunday’s game with Matthijs de Ligt’s Saturday night bout with gastroenteritis dropping him to the bench and gifting Rugani another start.

Nevertheless, the 27-year-old’s performance was of the highest order and it’s fair to say that our perceptions of the defender are changing by the game. He came into Sunday’s clash having scored in the 4-1 Coppa Italia triumph over Sampdoria the previous Tuesday, and while Rugani never got the opportunity to add to his goal tally at San Siro, he did a stellar job in preventing the Rossoneri forwards from adding to their respective hauls.

The Italian’s reading of the game was phenomenal in this one. He made several key interventions to prevent Milan from breaking in behind and he covered his full-backs, especially Mattia De Sciglio, diligently throughout. He concluded the contest with five combined tackles and interceptions (joint-second highest among the Juventus players), four clearances (highest), four blocks (joint-highest) and a 94% pass completion (highest among starters) from 50 passing attempts (fourth-highest).

Rugani was Juventus’ best performer against Milan and the brilliant form he’s displayed throughout January will make him hard to drop once Juve return to action at the start of February.

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