Victory over Juventus Symbolises an Exciting New Era for AC Milan

There could be nothing more overt to signify the dawn of a new AC Milan era. With new ownership on the horizon, a new head coach in Vincenzo Montella, a new style of football and a promising crop of exciting young players, all that remained was a symbolic result to mark the changing times.

That result came on Saturday night, as Milan defeated reigning Italian champions Juventus 1-0 at the San Siro to move within two points of their league-leading visitors in the ninth round of Serie A action.

Juventus had won their previous six fixtures in all competitions going into the clash, a sequence that saw them reassert their authority in the race for a record-breaking sixth consecutive Scudetto.

Indeed, they had dropped points on only one occasion before Saturday night, losing to Inter Milan at the San Siro on 18 September.

Their second defeat would come in the same stadium against a team enjoying a rejuvenation of their own.

Milan in the last 6 games:WWDWWWPoints: 16Goals scored: 11Goals conceded: 4 Clean sheets: 4Form table: 1st position pic.twitter.com/CwsAmKfVFt

— TheMilanBible (@TheMilanBible) October 22, 2016

Montella has not only brought more entertaining football to Milan, but he has restored a semblance of cohesion following a disjointed period that saw the club miss out on European competition for three successive years. As discussed in this previous post, his tactical choices have often been surprisingly pragmatic, and his team have been all the more effective for it.

Five wins and one draw from six league outings is tangible proof of the improvement.

Juventus threatened ominously in the early proceedings of Saturday night’s clash but were unable to break the deadlock. Milan defended well, with most of the visitors’ chances coming aerially from crosses.

After a tense opening, a game-changing event occurred on 32 minutes when Paulo Dybala slipped after attempting to lob Gianluigi Donnarumma from long-range. Having lost his footing, the lithe Argentinian forward picked up an injury and was forced to go off, being replaced by Juan Cuadrado, a player who—while equally tricky—lacks a clinical touch in the final third.

However, in spite of some stout Milan defending, Juventus had a perfectly good goal disallowed for offside. Miralem Pjanic’s curled cross from a free-kick went straight through and into the back of the net, though the officials ruled the strike out for interference from Leonardo Bonucci, who replays proved to be onside when the ball was struck.

With fortune favouring them, Milan pressed on and began to threaten themselves. M’Baye Niang was particularly impressive, tormenting Andrea Barzagli with his speed and turns, but he was unable to pick out a runner with any of his whipped, left-footed crosses into the penalty area.

At the end of a tight first half …

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