Notes On A 3-1 Loss To Juventus As The Unbeaten Streak Ends

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A game under the shadow of the pandemic with two players missing from each team – Rebic and Krunic for Milan and Juan Cuadrado and Alex Sandro for Juve. Ibra, Gabbia, Bennacer and Saelemaekers still out injured for Milan while Alvaro Morata was out for Juve. Pioil opted to use Calabria as Kessie’s midfield partner and Dalot started at right back.
Early minutes featured missed half chances by Paulo Dybala and Hauge and others in an open game.
Chiesa came closest hitting the post in the 16th minute.
Good movement and pressure paid off for the visitors as an interchange between Chiesa and Dybala ended with the former opening the score. Theo and Romagnoli were outplayed. Juve and Chiesa in particular, were in good form.
Leao came closest on several occasions with Calhanoglu moving wide to provide crosses and chances while Hauge drifting more centrally behind Leao. As Milan seemed to take at least some control the tying goal came. Milan won the ball up the pitch – Juve players felt Calhanoglu had fouled Rabiot and there was a short VAR check – then Leao crossed the ball to Calabria who shot well under the crossbar as Wojciech Szczesny was rooted to his spot.
The second half started more quietly with both teams looking more settled. However Juve took the lead again with a good Chiesa strike. Theo could have done better again, so too Romagnoli. The game went back to a more chaotic up and down state with fouls and non fouls and half chances. Juventus added their third with Weston McKennie finishing Dejan Kulusevski’s short cross in close range. Both Juve subs. Milan’s left sided defenders were once again in the thick of it.
Changes were made as all of Maldini, Colombo and Diaz came on but not a lot was created.
The absentees and defensive lapses caught up to Milan as the unbeaten streak ended.