Juve get the better of Milan | OneFootball

Three well-deserved points for the Bianconeri, who dominated Milan in the second half, with goals from Samuel Mbangula and Timothy Weah securing a fine victory.

Juventus began by trying to control possession, but it was Milan who came close to taking the lead in the 3rd minute with a quick attack: Tijani Reijnders found Rafael Leao, whose back-heel was denied by Michele Di Gregorio. The Bianconeri replied in the 7th minute with Mbangula's shot on the turn that grazed the post. The tempo remained high and in the 10th minute Milan again went close to scoring: Yunus Musah combined with Reijnders and picked out Leao, but Pierre Kalulu made a decisive intervention to prevent the Portuguese forward.

Juve grow into the game as Teun Koopmeiners threatens

The Bianconeri began to take control of the contest and in the 14th minute they came close to taking the lead: Koopmeiners took advantage of a mistake by Theo Hernandez and let off a left-footed shot aiming for the top corner, but his strike flew just wide. Juventus continued to push, playing out from the back at speed and trying to exploit space out wide.

Milan come close

Milan did not sit back, and in the 19th minute they threatened to take the lead following a corner: with Reijnders’ effort blocked by Manuel Locatelli. In the 27th minute, the Rossoneri created a sensational triple chance: Leao’s initial strike was saved by Di Gregorio before Theo Hernandez had two efforts on goal in quick succession prevented by decisive blocks from the Juve defence.

A hectic end to the half

Juventus responded in the 34th minute with a dangerous attack: Koopmeiners drilled a low cross towards Khephren Thuram, who was a whisker away from getting on the end of it. Shortly afterwards, Kenan Yildiz fired goalwards, but Mike Maignan was alert to the danger. Milan went close to scoring just before half time through Theo Hernandez, but his effort was once again blocked by a Juve defender, on this occasion Federico Gatti.

That brought an end to a goalless first half, but a half that was balanced and enthralling, with chances and nervy moments at both ends.

An aggressive restart

Juventus immediately started strongly in the second half, keeping Milan on the defensive. In the 48th minute, the Bianconeri pushed hard, forcing the Rossoneri back towards their own goal. In the 53rd minute, Juve had a magnificent double chance: Weah's powerful effort was saved by Maignan, then an error by Theo Hernandez gifted Koopmeiners the chance to give the home side the lead, but he was unable to find the target.

The breakthrough

In the 59th minute, Juventus broke the deadlock. Nico Gonzalez picked out Mbangula, whose shot defleced off Emerson Royal on the way to finding the back of the net and gifting the Juve winger a great late birthday present.

Weah doubles the advantage

Juve pushed hard and scored again in the 64th minute. At the end of a quick attacking move, Thuram played through Weah and the American drove at Fikayo Tomori in a one-on-one situation before beating Maignan with a powerful finish to make it 2-0.

Despite going two behind, Milan tried to regroup. In the 78th minute, Theo Hernandez attempted a shot from distance, but his effort went well wide. In the 88th minute, Luka Jovic created one last chance by delivering a cross for Francesco Camarda, who failed to hit the target.

Juve managed their lead well, risking nothing and securing three well-deserved points: now attention turns to the Champions League.

Gallery | Juve-Milan | 2024-25

JUVENTUS 2-0 AC MILAN

Allianz Stadium, Saturday 18 January, 2025 at 18:00 (CET) Serie A – Matchday 21

Goals: 59’ Mbangula (J), 64’ Weah (J)

Juventus: Di Gregorio, McKennie, Gatti, Kalulu, Cambiaso, Locatelli, Thuram (83’ Fagioli), Yildiz (46’ Weah), Koopmeiners (75’ Douglas Luiz), Mbangula (90’ Adzic), Nico Gonzalez (83’ Vlahovic). Unused Substitutes: Perin, Costa, Pinsoglio, Savona, Rouhi. Coach: Thiago Motta.

AC Milan: Maignan, Emerson (74’ Camarda), Gabbia, Tomori, Hernandez, Bennacer (63’ Jimenez), Fofana, Reijnders (80’ Terracciano), Musah, Abraham (80’ Jovic), Leao. Unused Substitutes: Calabria, Zeroli, Bartesaghi, Sportiello, Omoregbe, Torriani. Coach: Sergio Conceicao.

Referee: Davide Massa Assistants: Daniele Bindoni, Marco Scatragli Fourth Official: Kevin Bonacina

Bookings: 61’ Bennacer (A), 72’ Emerson (A)

Next Match:

Club Brugge-Juventus UEFA Champions League – League Phase – Matchday 7 Tuesday, 21 January, 2025 at 21:00 (CET) Jan Breydel Stadium