AC Milan secured all three points against Juventus in a 2-0 win at San Siro on Saturday, having produced a controlled and dominant performance against the Bianconeri.
Off the back of the disappointment in midweek following our defeat to Chelsea in the Champions League, Stefano Pioli and the players needed to produce a response and get back to winning ways.
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Despite their struggles so far this season, it’s never easy against Juventus, but ultimately the Rossoneri produced a solid display that allowed us to dictate the tempo and possession of the game for large periods and nullify Juve’s threat while allowing us to show quality in the final third to come out on top.
With Chelsea arriving at San Siro on Tuesday night, this was the confidence boost that we needed heading into that game, and hopefully with key individuals back in the mix and others stepping up to make a case to start too, we’ll put in a much-improved effort compared to the one we saw last time out in London.
Pioli gets rotation, set up spot on
With the fixture schedule as it is, Pioli has to rotate and keep his players fresh ahead of the World Cup break with games every few days across all competitions.
While he hasn’t always got the balance right in the past when making several changes, he did on this occasion with the likes of Matteo Gabbia and Tommaso Pobega coming in while Pierre Kalulu was shifted across to right back.
In terms of the system and the personnel within that system doing their respective jobs, Pioli interpreted this game almost perfectly as we looked convincing and assured in getting the victory.
Gabbia steps up and delivers
Amid speculation over the summer regarding a possible loan exit and some underwhelming previous performances when filling in, it was a gamble to an extent to put Gabbia back in the starting line-up for such a big game.
However, he produced a top response and a solid shift to put those concerns behind him, and hopefully this is a foundation for him to build on to not only have confidence when stepping in, but to make a bigger case to be more involved, particularly if there are injuries around him.
Pioli evidently has trust in him, but that performance will be reassurance for him as well that Gabbia is developing in the right way and has the character to deal with difficult moments.
Theo’s importance never clearer this week
While he wasn’t at his free-flowing best on Saturday, Theo Hernandez’s return was a timely boost as he also took on the captain’s armband.
Defensively sound and with that explosive ability on the ball and in the attacking phase, if he’s not directly decisive, his presence and the dynamic he brings make the opposition think.
We sorely missed him at Stamford Bridge in midweek, but having returned to fitness, he’ll be looking to put in a big shift in the reverse fixture this week too.
Bennacer, Tonali axis critical
As we saw in midweek, there is still work to be done to adapt and adjust to the tempo and physical demands needed to compete at the highest level in Europe.
While they consistently dominate and dictate in Serie A, both Ismael Bennacer and Sandro Tonali need to be slightly more clever and cunning in Europe to have the same level of influence.
As we saw on Saturday though, they are the real engine room and orchestra of this side when at their most influential, and if they provide us with a sound base in the heart of midfield, everything around them moves and works that bit better.
Brahim Diaz showcases his ability
Albeit long overdue, Brahim Diaz showed us what he’s capable of with his goal and overall performance against Juventus.
His lack of goals and assists have been a real problem as we need creativity and a goal threat from that position, and he’s struggled to offer a consistent presence in that regard.
He’s got a battle on his hands this season to be involved with Charles De Ketelaere in the squad, albeit struggling himself too, and while Diaz made a much-welcomed and decisive impact this weekend, he now has to follow that up and continue to be a key figure in the final third for us.