Juventus dealt a significant blow to AC Milan’s top four aspirations with a 2-0 victory at the Allianz Stadium on Saturday evening. The win marked the first defeat for Milan under new coach Sergio Conceicao and widened the gap between the two sides in the race for Champions League qualification.
The match began with both teams showing attacking intent, but it was Juventus who gradually took control of the proceedings. The breakthrough came in the 59th minute when Samuel Mbangula’s shot took a fortunate deflection off Emerson Royal, wrong-footing Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan.
Juventus doubled their advantage just five minutes later. Timothy Weah, son of Milan legend George Weah, capitalized on a swift counterattack to beat Fikayo Tomori and slot home a left-footed strike.
The victory was particularly sweet for Juventus, who had fallen to Milan in the Supercoppa Italiana semi-final just two weeks prior. This time, the Bianconeri’s defensive solidity and clinical finishing proved too much for a Milan side struggling with injuries and suspensions.
Milan’s attempts to mount a comeback in the latter stages of the match proved fruitless. Their best chances came from a Theo Hernandez free-kick that sailed wide and a glancing header from young substitute Francesco Camarda that missed the target.
Goals: Mbangula 59 (J), Weah 64 (J)
Juventus (4-2-3-1): Di Gregorio; Cambiaso, Gatti, Kalulu, McKennie; Thuram (83′ Fagioli), Locatelli; Mbangula (90′ Adzic), Koopmeiners (75′ Douglas Luiz), Yildiz (46′ Yildiz); Gonzalez (83′ Vlahovic).
Milan (4-2-3-1): Maignan; Emerson Royal (75′ Camarda), Gabbia, Tomori, Theo Hernandez; Bennacer (62′ Jimenez), Fofana; Musah, Reijnders (80′ Terracciano), Leao; Abraham.
