Analysis: AC Milan

Milan initially set up in a 4-4-1-1 shape, with Samu Castillejo playing as a secondary striker behind Gonzalo Higuain. However, the hosts’ first-half play lacked invention and tempo. Gennaro Gattuso’s deployment of wrong-footed wingers, with Suso coming in from the right and Hakan Calhanoglu doing likewise from the left, only added to a central area already packed thanks to a compact Juventus formation.

Even during transitions Milan failed to threaten, with Higuain struggling to protect the first pass forward. The Argentine also lacked supporting runners from deep, as Milan’s midfield wanted the ball to feet rather than in behind. They eventually converted into a 4-5-1 shape, as Castillejo moved from the secondary striker role to the left of midfield. From here, Calhanoglu moved infield, creating a central midfield trio with Tiemoue Bakayoko and Franck Kessie. This resulted in slightly more positive spells during transitions, as the wide players weren’t so preoccupied with dribbling infield and trying to beat multiple players.

However, Milan lacked true quality on the ball as they approached the final third, with no shots inside the Juve penalty area in the entire first half. That was until the hosts were given an unlikely lifeline, in the form of a surprise penalty decision via the help of VAR. Higuain stepped up, but couldn’t beat Wojciech Szczesny as the ball flicked off the post and away from danger.

Milan’s second-half performance involved more direct and longer balls forward, as they pushed central-midfield runners higher and targeted the spaces in behind the Juventus defence. Giorgio Chiellini and Medhi Benatia won most of the ensuing aerial battles, but the hosts did have some success collecting loose second balls and using their full-backs to deliver crosses into the penalty area. They lacked the presence to really threaten, though, and their frustrations were summed up in the Higuain loss of temper that led to his dismissal.

Out of possession, Milan’s 4-4-2 structure was broken as early as the eighth minute. Paulo Dybala’s dropping movements into central midfield created an early overload for the visitors. From here, Milan couldn’t get near the ball, as Juve switched the play using the width provided by their full-backs. A deep cross to the far post saw Mario Mandzukic nod home the opener. Moments later, he nearly grabbed an identical second.

Milan’s 4-4-2 block continued after conceding, but they struggled to handle Juventus’ fluid rotations, particularly as they built from deep. With Dybala continuing to drop deeper, Milan needed a numerical rebalance within central midfield. Both Higuain and Castillejo reduced their distance from their teammates in midfield, hoping to nullify the impact of Juventus’ central combinations.

For a period, Juve’s attack lost its edge as Milan’s compact 4-4-2 did its job. From here, though, the hosts lost any hope of attacking themselves. Castillejo and Higuain were too far away from the goal to mount serious attacks, while central midfielders Bakayoko and Kessie lacked the quality needed to progress through such a compact central lane.

The home side’s defensive structure eventually shifted to a 4-5-1, as their more direct play with the ball created more transitional spells. Whenever Juventus did settle on the ball, Milan dropped deeper, hoping to hit Juventus with counter-attacks from deep. Even with a new defensive structure, the visitors still grabbed a decisive second, with Cristiano Ronaldo confirming all three points for the Serie A leaders.