If it seems like we already played Juventus twice this season, it's because we have. We played to a most dismal 0-0 draw under Fonseca in November. Then we just literally played them two weeks ago, when we defeated them 1-0 in the Supercoppa Semifinal in Saudi Arabia for Conceição's debut. However, we have not played them yet in Turin, Which means that, while Milan have had supporters present for both previous matches, the Curva Sud are once again boycotting this one due to Juventus' ticketing policies. So, Juventus are undefeated in Serie A this season, but Milan are undefeated vs. Juventus in all competitions. Just two Serie A giants playing for Europa League spots. Reprise.
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| I wouldn't mind a reprise of this, honestly. |
Juventus are undefeated in Serie A, but they languish in fifth place, on account of their 13 draws in 20 matches thus far this season. They have only managed seven wins so far, begging questions about Thiago Motta perhaps lacking that killer instinct in his managing abilities. Their most recent match was a 1-1 draw with Atalanta on Tuesday, where our very own Kalulu both scored and was Player of the Match for Juve.
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| Kalulu still shining for our rivals... |
For that match, Motta lined up a 4-2-3-1 with Di Gregorio; Savona, Gatti, Milan's own Kalulu, Cambiaso; former Milan player-turned-traitor Locatelli, Thuram; Yildiz, McKennie, González; and Koopmeiners. Motta is still missing both Bremer and Cabal to season-ending injuries, but will also be missing Milik and Perin to injury. It was reported that Francisco Conceição was working to make the bench after his injury, but he is also likely to miss this match to face his father's side as well. Motta does have a reinforcement in that Juventus signed Alberto Costa, who could also debut in this match, at least from the bench.
Curiously, both sides are in talks with Manchester City right now for transfer purposes. Manchester City have aggressively pursued Juventus' talented fullback, Cambiaso, and are willing to pay a reported €65 million, while Juventus would like €80 million. Meanwhile, Milan are in talks to take Manchester City's aging wantaway captain, Kyle Walker on loan for a reported €1 million for the rest of the season, with a €5 million buyout clause. Keep in mind that Walker has had many off the pitch issues that include indecent exposure, public urination, having sex with prostitutes during COVID lockdown, and not only infidelity with his wife, with whom he has four children with, but also having two children with his mistress. Guess which deal looks more likely to go through? This management are solidifying themselves as the absolute worst in Milan's history, and Milan were relegated twice because of management in the 1980's.
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| Tomori has just reclaimed a starting spot with a proper manager. |
It gets better, though. After sending young, talented Kalulu to rivals Juventus for only a small loan fee and option to purchase, a player who could play both right back and center back, Milan spent €15 million on the rash, inconsistent, and often lacking in footballing IQ Emerson Royal from Tottenham. We had Calabria, Kalulu, Florenzi, and Jiménez we could call up from Milan Futuro, all who could play right back well. So now, they are planning to bring in Walker, whose life off the pitch is a train wreck and could be a terrible influence for all the young players in the squad, but who is also at the end of his career.
But that is not all. Juventus are pushing for Tomori, too. We paid a total of around €30 million for Tomori three years ago, and Juventus are offering us €25 million for him. Keep in mind that Tomori's value when Cardinale bought the club was €50 million, now it has dropped to €22 million due to all of their absurd decisions, the latest of which was hiring a manager who unjustly benched Tomori. Conceição likes Tomori, he's started him in all four matches so far, and was reportedly furious not only at losing him, but also strengthening a rival. At least if our management are football braindead, we finally have a manager who can talk some sense into them.
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| Hopefully Musah can give them hell again. |
Speaking of Conceição, he will be missing Morata to suspension, although it turns out he would have likely also missed him due to muscle fatigue anyway, so the joke is on you, Serie A referees. (Wait, I think the joke is still on us...) Conceição will also be missing Florenzi, Chukwueze, Loftus-Cheek, and Thiaw to injury. He was asked about Pulisic, and he confessed that Pulisic will also miss this one, as they do not want to risk him. It is uncertain whether or not Jović or Okafor will be called up or would play, given their tenuous transfer situations. At least Fenerbahçe's request for Pavlović was turned down by both the club and also the player this week.
In his prematch press conference, Conceição specifically alluded to Juventus' habit of drawing this season, saying that he views a draw as "two points lost." He also mentioned that he believes Fofana and Bennacer can play together, and in a rare disclosure, admitted they would be starting together for this match. Tammy Abraham will undoubtedly replace Morata up front, which means that Reijnders will be played in a preferable more attacking role, and Musah will likely be playing on the wing instead of deeper in midfield as well.
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| Can Reijnders find space to get his attacking form back in this one? |
As for the Curva Sud, they never cease to disappoint. Only this season, they have done a lot less supporting than usual for so many different reasons. This has become an annual boycott of the Allianz stadium by our Curva Sud due to their ticketing policies, which require fans to register on Juventus' site and get a fan card just to buy a ticket in their away section, and do not allow for name changes on the tickets. That change came about after Juventus' Ultra groups got in trouble for criminal activities, including ticketing issues and ties with crime families.
Does that sound familiar? Both Milan teams' Ultras were arrested and charged with criminal activities this past September, and due to the problems with ticketing that could cause problems for the club, Milan have also changed their ticketing policies to be more like Juventus' policies, which is why the Curva Sud had their banners upside down vs. Cagliari. Soon, perhaps we will no longer have a Curva Sud? Or at least perhaps other Ultra groups will also be boycotting our matches. Or... maybe those Ultras actually support their clubs and will actually do whatever is necessary to support their teams? What a novel concept.
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| Curva Sud think their absence is a statement, but the lack of crime is not a power move. |
Milan actually have eight wins this season, thanks to Conceição, one more than Juventus now. But all those matches wasted under Fonseca have Milan in seventh place to their fifth place going into this match. This is meant to simply be a third meeting in as many months against two big rivals, both of whom are underperforming this season. However, with so much happening off the pitch with fans, with the many uncertainties of the transfer market, and with significant injuries for both sides, this could literally be an entirely different match than even the one two weeks ago. Or, both teams could continue on their current trajectories, and it could be another reprise.
This post inspired by the music of The Primitives' "Sick of It All"
Serie C Week 23
Reviewed by Elaine
on
5:30 AM
Rating:
