In the biggest test yet of Juventus’s title credentials the Turin giants dominated the match against a lacklustre and unrecognisable Milan but had to wait until three minutes from time to score a deserved winner.
The result leaves Juventus above Udinese, who beat Bologna 2-0, on goals scored heading into the international break.
Milan, though, remain hovering above the relegation zone in 15th, just a point above 17th placed neighbours Inter Milan, suffering from a similar early-season crisis.
Although it was played at high intensity from the off, the game took a while to warm up in terms of decent goalscoring chances.
And when it did, they all went Juve’s way.
On 27 minutes Andrea Pirlo, facing his former employers for the first time since his summer move, sent in a free-kick that was too close to Christian Abbiati who punched it clear.
Mirko Vucinic went close on 37 minutes as his chip from outside the box was tipped onto the bar by Abbiati and Milan escaped again.
Still Juve poured forward and they wasted a great chance when Marchisio collected Arturo Vidal’s dink into the box, took Gianluca Zambrotta out of the game with a sublime first touch but then rushed his shot and didn’t trouble Abbiati.
The onslaught continued two minutes into the second period as Pirlo’s cross from the left was flicked on by Simone Pepe and Leonardo Bonucci found himself six yards out but seemed surprised by the arrival of the ball which hit him in the midriff and then his head before Abbiati acrobatically tipped it over the bar.
Milan’s best chance came when Antonio Cassano picked out the returning Kevin-Prince Boateng but his cross-shot lacked conviction and Gianluigi Buffon tipped it around the post.
Thiago Silva came to Mark van Bommel’s rescue when the Dutch veteran’s wayward pass sent Vucinic haring in on goal but the Brazilian defender got back to snuff out the danger.
Vidal was hair’s breadth away from giving Juve the lead 14 minutes from time when his vicious shot from 20 yards whisked just past the post while Vucinic curled another effort past the opposite upright.
The deadlock was finally broken when Marchiso went for a one-two with Vucinic and as he ran onto the return pass, Daniele Bonera, in trying to clear the danger, hooked the ball onto Marchisio’s foot and beyond Abbiati.
In injury time Marchisio added a second thanks to woeful goalkeeping from Abbiati who let a speculative strike from 25 yards slip between his legs.
Despite selling stars Alexis Sanchez (to Barcelona) and Gokhan Inler (to Napoli) in the summer, Udinese proved they have lost none of the verve that took them to a fourth-placed finish last season and qualification for the Champions League play-offs, where they were beaten by Arsenal.
Morocco centre-back Mehdi Benatia gave them the lead on 29 minutes when Pablo Armero’s corner was headed goalwards by Damiano Ferronetti only to hit Benatia, who nonetheless was quick to swivel and shoot home.
Captain Antonio Di Natale then scored from the spot after Diego Perez committed a terrible foul from behind on Pablo Armero.
Coach Francesco Guidolin admitted he was proud to take his side into the international break in second spot.
“From now until the resumption of the league we will enjoy this achievement,” he said.
“It really is a great satisfaction, even though I get angry when I hear people in the stands comparing us with Barcelona.”
Napoli are a point behind in third following a stunning 3-0 win at 10-man Inter on Saturday.
Italian Serie A results:
Novara 3 Catania 3
Cesena 0 Chievo 0
Fiorentina 1 Lazio 2
Lecce 0 Cagliari 2
Palermo 2 Siena 0
Parma 3 Genoa 1
Udinese 2 Bologna 0
Juventus 2 AC Milan 0
They are the current leading soccer tipsters in this month competition. See also tipsters rankings.
![]() |
The_rock_105
posts a 1X2 tip on Kashiwa Reysol vs Consadole Sapporo 13 minutes ago |
![]() |
The_rock_105
posts a 1X2 tip on Tokyo vs Yokohama F. Marinos 13 minutes ago |
![]() |
kynzwilliams296
posts a In-Play Over / Under tip on Modbury Jets Res. vs West Adelaide Res. 16 minutes ago |
![]() |
kynzwilliams296
posts a In-Play Over / Under tip on Modbury Jets Res. vs West Adelaide Res. 16 minutes ago |
![]() |
_185
posts a 1X2 tip on Kashiwa Reysol vs Consadole Sapporo 20 minutes ago |
![]() |
_185
posts a 1X2 tip on Yokohama vs Sagan Tosu 20 minutes ago |
![]() |
_185
posts a 1X2 tip on Avispa Fukuoka vs Gamba Osaka 20 minutes ago |
![]() |
_185
posts a 1X2 tip on Nagoya Grampus vs Cerezo Osaka 20 minutes ago |
![]() |
_185
posts a 1X2 tip on Tokyo vs Yokohama F. Marinos 20 minutes ago |
![]() |
_185
posts a 1X2 tip on Shonan Bellmare vs Albirex Niigata 20 minutes ago |
Upcoming football matches with excellent head to head records over their opponents.
|
Sign in to view more football matches.
Football clubs who play better for their home games H2H.
|
Sign in to view more football matches.
Football clubs that play well for their away games.
|
Sign in to view more football matches.
Motivated teams after winning five matches in a row or they have maintained a ten-match unbeaten run. The bookmakers label them as favourites for a reason.
Teams in crisis after five consecutive defeats or they did not win their last ten football matches. You should avoid betting on these underdogs.
Teams having a draw in the last five matches.
Teams that have not won at away matches.
|
Sign in to view more football teams.
This tipsters ranking is based on single picks excluding doubles and multi accumulators. For the full ranking click here.
Tipsters with consecutive winnings in their recent predictions.
Tipsters whom have lost a few matches in a row. Bad luck you call it.
Experience being The Good Teacher. I found this the best site where I could share some of my soccer game picks. It hasn't been an easy journey. Day-in Day-out I study the game outcomes through my own betting activity and thus come up with worthy profits. I hope someone benefits from my picks. BUT REMEMBER, never put all your eggs in one basket.
From as little as $1 per soccer tip.
|
Arbitrage is an effective way to make guaranteed profits without losing your money.
Analyze soccer matches, inclusive of past results, head to head stats, today match fixtures, live soccer odds, players and team form.
Check the latest and fastest live score results for all football matches. Know who are the goalscorers, yellow card and red card offenders.
Read up these useful tips for soccer betting.
Get the listings of soccer leagues and competitions for each region, including past seasons results and football statistics.
Want to bet on a match today? Check out the list of today match fixtures.
Read MoreGet the match results for all the soccer matches around the globe. Inclusive of half-time, full-time results.
Read MoreAre you an expert in soccer betting? Join SoccerPunter Tipsters competition to challenge against the top football tipsters and win prizes!
Read MoreCopyright © 2002-2023 SoccerPunter Pte. Ltd. All rights reserved.
Be the first to comment: