Juventus vs AC Milan – Serie A – Preview

Posted on November 21, 2015 by Sreya

Juventus host AC Milan in the Serie A as the defending champions look to get their season back on track after a disastrous start to the new domestic campaign. The Old Lady of Turin are on seventh position in the league standings with eighteen points after twelve matches, while AC Milan are a place ahead with two more points.

Team News

Roberto Pereyra, Kwadwo Asamoah, Simone Padoin and Martin Caceres have already been ruled out from tonight’s encounter. Stephan Lichsteiner and Gianluigi Buffon picked up muscular injuries earlier this week, but the talismanic goalkeeper is expected to start. Mario Mandzukic will face a late fitness test, but is unlikely to start with Paulo Dybala set to lead the line.

AC Milan have their own injury problems with Jeremy Menez, Mario Balotelli, Diego Lopez, Nigel de Jong and Andrea Bertolacci sidelined.

Juventus Possible Starting Lineup: Gianluigi Buffon, Stephen Lichsteiner, Leonardo Bonucci, Giorgio Chiellini, Patrice Evra, Claudio Marchisio, Sami Khedira, Paul Pogba, Juan Cuadrado, Paulo Dybala, Alvaro Morata.

AC Milan Possible Starting Lineup: Gianluigi Donarumma, Ignazio Abate, Alessio Romagnoli, Philipe Mexes, Luca Antonelli, Juraj Kucka, Riccardo Montolivo, Andrea Poli, Alessio Cerci, Carlos Bacca, Giacomo Bonaventura.

Thoughts From Both Camps

“Considering our current position in the standings, Saturday’s game is a final. Our fans have been patient when things didn’t go well for us and I believe now we will repay that trust with good performances.

In a different tournament, a nine-point difference would be considered too much, but in Serie A anything can happen. Our aim is to get as many points as possible from here until Christmas.”

– Alvaro Morata, Juventus.

“It’s one of the most important games of the season. We know we will have to work very hard to win. Juve have a very strong defensive line and they are difficult team to beat.”

– Luiz Adriano, AC Milan.

Contributor’s Pick

According to Head-2-Head statistics, Juventus have won five and lose one of their last six matches against AC Milan. The Bianconeri, in spite of their poor start to the season, have won against Torino and Empoli in the last two gameweeks and will aim to win their third consecutive match for the first time this season.

AC Milan are unbeaten in their last five Serie A games and have an incredible opportunity to beat Juventus, should they put up a strong display. It should be a closely contested affair, with a 2-2 draw being the most likely result.