One of the most legendary Serie A matches is set to occur at the San Siro, where AC Milan will face Juventus on Saturday.
As we’ll see in this tactical analysis, both teams face challenges this season but are determined to make their mark in the race for the league title.
While Milan is trying to shore up its defence and make the most of its attacking depth, Juventus is focused on maintaining its structure despite injuries while looking to improve its efficiency in front of goal.
Our analysis suggests this match will be an intriguing battle of tactics between two of Italy’s top sides.
AC Milan Vs Juventus Predicted Lineups
AC Milian Formation & Line Up
AC Milan has many attacking players, which makes it tricky to devise a consistent winning formula.
They’ve still got a few experienced players out of action, though.
Alessandro Florenzi, formerly AS Roma, is still recovering from an ACL injury, and Algerian international Ismaël Bennacer is also out with an ankle injury.
We’ll probably see AC Milan in a 4-3-3 formation, with an attacking trio of Christian Pulisic on the right, Rafael Leão on the left, and Alvaro Morata down the middle, facing his former club.
Youssouf Fofana and Tijjani Reijnders would stay in midfield, with Ruben Loftus-Cheek, the other mezzala, coming into the starting XI.
If Fonseca decides to stick with a 4-2-3-1 formation, the Englishman could also play as an attacking midfielder with Pulisic and Leao further down the wing.
Predicted AC Milian Line-up (4-3-3): Mike Maignan; Emerson Royal, Malick Thiaw, Strahinja Pavlović, Theo Hernández; Youssouf Fofana, Tijjani Reijnders, Ruben Loftus-Cheek; Christian Pulisic, Rafael Leão, Alvaro Morata.
Unavailable: Florenzi (Injured) and Bennacer (Injured).
Juventus Formation & Line Up
Juventus have a few injury worries for this weekend’s trip to San Siro.
Key Brazilian centre-back Gleison Bremer is out with an ACL injury.
In addition to Bremer, the Old Lady is also missing summer signings Juan Cabal and Nicolas Gonzalez and Serbian international Dušan Vlahović.
Juventus Predicted Line-up (4-2-3-1): Mattia Perin; Nicolò Savona, Federico Gatti, Pierre Kalulu, Andrea Cambiaso; Manuel Locatelli, Khéphren Thuram; Timothy Weah, Teun Koopmeiners, Kenan Yildiz; Francisco Conceição.
Unavailable: Bremer (Injured), Vasilije Adžić (Injured), Juan Cabal (Injured), Douglas Luiz (Injured), Facundo González (Injured), Vlahović (Injured).
AC Milian Current Form
Over the summer, Stefano Pioli, who won the Serie A title with AC Milan, left the club after several disappointing matches.
He was replaced by Paulo Fonseca, who’d previously managed Lille, Roma and Shakhtar Donetsk.
The Rossoneri started slowly under Paulo Fonseca’s tactics, but they’ve shown some improvement.
The seven-time European champions are currently sitting outside of the top six, but they do have a game in hand that, if they win, could see them within five points of the top of the table.
They followed up a 3-1 defeat of Real Madrid at the Bernabeu by frustratingly drawing 3-3 against Cagliari in Sardinia a couple of weeks ago.
If Paulo Fonseca’s side wants to get back into the Scudetto race, they’ll need to beat Juventus at home on Saturday evening. Anything else won’t do.
Milan are currently in seventh place, eight points behind league leaders Napoli.
This shows the issues with inconsistency.
They’re also seven points behind fourth place, but after beating Inter and Real Madrid, this team has shown some encouraging signs and is playing well together at the top.
Serie A Rankings 2024/25
Juventus Current Form
This summer has seen Juventus evolve into something new and younger with a more dynamic squad under the guidance of former Bologna boss Thiago Motta’s tactics.
The Old Lady has remained unbeaten in 12 Serie A matches so far this season, but the Bianconeri’s six victories and six draws have been frustrating.
There are some real signs of improvement and a slicker style of football that Juventus have implemented.
They played really well in the Derby della Mole a couple of weeks ago, beating Torino 2-0 with goals from Timothy Weah and Kenan Yildiz.
AC Milan’s Match Plan
Since Paulo Fonseca took over, AC Milan has shown both promise and inconsistency.
The team has shown some great moments of brilliance, like in their 3-1 win against Real Madrid.
Their defensive weaknesses have made it hard for them to move up the Serie A table.
The Rossoneri have struggled with defensive issues all season, as seen in their recent 3-3 draw against Cagliari.
Errors at the back allowed one of the league’s least prolific teams to score three goals.
If Milan wants to be taken seriously as a potential Scudetto contender, Fonseca needs to find a way to stabilise the backline while maintaining the fluidity of his attacking system.
It would be a great help to see Matteo Gabbia back with Malick Thiaw in central defence.
They could really help to improve the team’s organisation.
But it’s not just about the players.
Fonseca needs to look at why Milan are so open at the back, leaving them exposed to counterattacks.
AC Milan High Line
Ruben Loftus-Cheek will be key here.
Deployed as a mezzala in a 4-3-3 or as an advanced attacking midfielder in a 4-2-3-1, the Englishman’s physicality and defensive work rate will be key in protecting the backline and offering support during defensive transitions.
His ability to find a balance between defensive discipline and forward runs could help Milan avoid being exposed while keeping their attack fluid.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek Heatmap 2024/25
AC Milan has one of the most exciting front lines in Serie A.
The combination of Rafael Leão, Christian Pulisic, and Álvaro Morata offers pace, creativity, and experience.
Leão has been on great form recently, both for Milan and for Portugal’s national team.
His ability to isolate defenders and create scoring opportunities on the left flank will be crucial.
Pulisic is a reliable performer in high-pressure situations, while Theo Hernández‘s overlapping runs from left-back always provide an additional attacking option.
If Morata can move around well and link up play, it could disrupt Juventus’ compact defensive structure, creating space for midfielders like Loftus-Cheek and Reijnders to exploit.
AC Milan Shots Map 2024/25
Fonseca will have to find the right balance between attacking ambition and defensive stability.
Juventus has one of the best-organised defences in the league.
They’ve only conceded seven goals in 12 games, so Milan may need moments of individual brilliance to break through.
Leão, Pulisic and Hernández will be key to their attacking play, but Milan will need to keep their cool and avoid the defensive mistakes that have cost them points this season if they want to succeed.
Juventus Match Plan
Thiago Motta’s Juventus has had a good run in Serie A, but a series of injuries has tested the depth of their squad.
Despite these challenges, Juventus has managed to maintain one of the best defensive records in the league, conceding just seven goals in 12 matches.
Motta’s system is known for its solid defence, which relies on a compact and disciplined shape.
Juventus Shots Faced By Goalkeeper Map 2024/25
However, Juventus hasn’t been as impressive in its attack.
They’ve drawn six times, which shows how hard it’s been for them to turn possession and control into goals.
With key players like Brazilian centre-back Bremer and striker Dušan Vlahović out of action, Motta has had to adapt his tactics.
Even without Bremer, Juventus’s backline, likely anchored by Federico Gatti and Pierre Kalulu, has the organisation and discipline to thwart Milan’s potent attack.
Manuel Locatelli and Marcus Thuram’s midfield pairing will be key to keeping things tight at the back, cutting off passing lanes, and stopping Milan’s midfielders from finding space between the lines.
Locatelli has been key in protecting the back four and could be vital in stopping Milan’s creativity.
Juventus Compact Shape
In terms of offence, Juventus will need to be pragmatic and make the most of their resources.
With Vlahovic out injured, Francisco Conceição will likely lead the attack as a false nine.
The Bianconeri’s main threat will come from their wide players, Timothy Weah and Kenan Yildiz.
They’re both fast and direct to exploit the space behind Milan’s full-backs.
Motta will also look to Teun Koopmeiners to provide some creative input in midfield.
Teun Koopmeiners is known for his passing range and ability to arrive late in the box, so he’ll be essential in linking the midfield and attack and providing an additional goal threat.
Juventus’ compact structure means they can handle pressure and launch quick counterattacks, which will be key against a Milan side that often leaves gaps when pushing forward.
Motta’s got a bit of a challenge on his hands.
Not only does he need to ensure his team keeps things tight at the back, but he also needs to ensure they make the most of the few chances they get in front of goal.
Milan’s high line makes them vulnerable to quick transitions, so Juventus must be clinical and seize the opportunities that come their way.
AC Milan Defensive Territory Map 2024/25
Conclusion
Both teams are trying to play a more fluid and proactive style of football this season.
AC Milan has had a rough start to the season, but they’ve shown what they’re capable of, as we saw in their 3-1 win against Real Madrid a few weeks ago.
They’re up against a Juventus side that’s expected to come out strong in this one, which should make for an entertaining match despite their lack of goals.
