AC Milan v Juventus
21/10 draw 23/10 5/4
The top of the Serie A table didn’t change last weekend after front-runners Juventus, Inter and Napoli all drew their respective matches. League leaders Juventus remained four points clear after drawing at home to fifth placed Lazio. They have been inconsistent of late and have to contend with a trip to the San Siro this weekend to face AC Milan.
Struggling AC Milan showed tremendous fighting spirit by coming from two goals down to snatch a 2-2 draw at Napoli last Saturday. The in-form Stephan El Shaarawy scored a stunning curling effort from the edge of the area and then produced a cool finish to earn the Rossoneri a point. That draw moved Milan one place up the table into 12th position after what has been a horrendous start by last season’s second place finishers. Milan have lost six of their 13 games, drawing three and winning four. Thanks to El Shaarawy, who tops the Serie A scoring charts with 10 goals, they have managed 20 goals but their downfall has been their defence. After losing Thiago Silva to PSG during pre-season, Milan have conceded 18 goals in their 13 matches. Milan have done terribly against the bigger sides in the league. Udinese, Inter, Lazio and Fiorentina have all beaten them respectively this season with their draw against Napoli last weekend an exception. Experienced players like Alexandre Pato need to come to the party for Milan if they want to clinch a European spot. They are 17 points off their opponents and can kiss their title hopes goodbye if they suffer another victory this weekend. Ahead of this match Milan will be well aware of their local rivals Inter’s feat of breaking Juventus’ 49 match unbeaten run in the Serie a few weeks ago.
Juventus dominated but were held to 0-0 draw by Lazio. Juve came close on several occasions hitting the crossbar numerous times but the defending champions – who had scored 10 goals in their previous two matches – could not find a way past Lazio goalkeeper Federico Marchetti. “We had so many scoring opportunities and dominated the match, it’s a pity we didn’t get the goal,” Juventus assistant coach Angelo Alessio said. “Lazio were simply defensive throughout. If you don’t score, you don’t win, it’s simple. But there are only positives to take from tonight.” Lazio didn’t have a shot on target in the entire match and struggled to get out of their own half. Juve will be boosted when looking to maintain their title charge as they welcome back Andrea Pirlo who missed the Lazio game
