AC Milan has claimed victory over Juventus, edging them 2-1 to secure their place in the Supercoppa Italiana final. This thrilling semi-final took place on January 3, 2025, at the Awal Park Stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, marking the first match for newly appointed manager Sergio Conceicao.
Juventus started strong, quickly taking control of the game. Kenan Yildiz scored the opening goal for Juventus around the 21st minute, capitalizing on a defensive lapse from the Rossoneri. His finish came after Samuel Mbangula spotted Yildiz's run and delivered a superb through ball, catching the Milan defense off guard.
Despite this setback, Milan struggled to find their footing initially, failing to register any shots on target throughout the first half. Coach Conceicao’s men seemed hesitant, and Juventus looked comfortably dominant, creating multiple chances as Dusan Vlahovic came close to doubling the lead.
The second half, though, introduced a dramatic turnaround. Milan came out of the locker room with renewed vigor. Just minutes after the restart, Pulisic was brought down by Manuel Locatelli, leading to a penalty decision. The American international stepped up to take the kick himself and coolly slotted the ball home, equalizing the score.
Moments later, the tide turned entirely. Substitute Yunus Musah's cross, meant for teammates lurking inside the box, deflected off Federico Gatti and wrong-footed Juventus' goalkeeper. What was intended as just another attempt to create danger turned out to be the accidental second goal for Milan, shocking Juventus and putting them on the back foot.
Despite attempting to regroup, Juventus struggled to create equalizing opportunities afterward. The results lingered, with Milan managing to hold onto their lead through disciplined defending and strategic substitutions made by Conceicao late in the game.
This match not only serves as an important victory for Milan but also showcases the challenges faced by Juventus, who had been the more dominant side yet saw their chances vanish due to costly errors, particularly with Gatti's own goal.
Analysis from the match rated players from both sides, highlighting Pulisic’s impressive comeback game with a rating of 7.5, thanks to his pivotal role in both the equalizing penalty and the ensuing play leading to the advantageous turn of events for Milan. Conversely, Juventus goalkeeper Di Gregorio received low ratings, primarily attributed to his failure to keep the scoreline in favor of his team.
The upcoming final against Inter Milan on Monday promises to be an exciting encounter, punctuated by the thrilling atmosphere these two historic clubs bring to such competitions. It will be interesting to see how conceicao builds on this momentum and what adjustments will be made against their city rivals.
Overall, Milan's victory highlights not only the team’s resilience but also the strategic changes under their new coach. Many fans left the stadium feeling hopeful and excited for what lies ahead. This exciting victory cements AC Milan’s reputation as formidable contenders within Italian football and signifies promising times under their new direction.
Milan is now gearing up for the final showdown with Inter, and if today’s performance is any indication, they’ll be entering the match with newfound confidence and determination. With their attacking players finding form and adjustments discussed post-match likely to be implemented, they could certainly pose challenges for their rivals.