AC Milan and Juventus are set to clash at Al-Awwal Park, Riyadh, as both teams vie for an opportunity to regain glory at the Supercoppa Italiana semifinals on January 3, 2025. The matchup is not just another fixture; it’s a chance for both clubs to assert themselves after struggling to meet expectations this season.
Juventus, known as the Bianconeri, holds the record for the most Supercoppa Italiana titles, with nine victories under their belt. They come off the back of inconsistent performances, drawing 2-2 against Fiorentina just days prior, but the importance of this match cannot be understated. "It's important to regain our focus on winning, starting from this match," mentioned Thiago Motta, Juventus' head coach, highlighting the significance of the semifinal.
Meanwhile, AC Milan finds themselves under the new leadership of coach Sérgio Conceição, who took over following the sacking of Paulo Fonseca. This is Conceição’s first major task, which could potentially send a strong message if he can guide his team past their historic rivals. "This is our opportunity to send a message," said Conceição, emphasizing belief and strategy before the match.
Both teams have faced injury woes. Juventus is without key players like Arkadiusz Milik and Gleison Bremer due to injuries, leaving their squad depth tested. On the other hand, AC Milan can’t call upon stars like Christian Pulisic, Alvaro Morata, and Rafael Leao for this encounter, which adds to the pressure on the available squad. Despite these setbacks, the fixtures are often unpredictable; both teams have demonstrated strength and creativity even without their star players.
Both sides are eager to advance to the finals, where they would face either Inter Milan or Atalanta. Given their current league standings—Juventus sitting sixth and AC Milan eighth—it’s also a much-needed chance to lift silverware and boost morale heading toward the latter part of the season.
Historically, the Supercoppa Italiana has been kind to Juventus, who last won the title against Napoli in 2020. Although both teams have experienced tricky runs recently, with Juventus managing only three wins from their last ten outings, the stakes are considerably higher when it’s derby day. Juventus recently boasted three consecutive clean sheets against AC Milan, making them favorites heading to this pivotal clash.
Key players to watch include Juventus’ Dusan Vlahovic, who finished 2024 with the most goals among Serie A players, and Tijjani Reijnders from AC Milan, who has been instrumental with five goals this season. The midfield prowess of Khéphren Thuram for Juventus is also significant, as he aims to continue his run of form after scoring a brace lately.
Statistically, the last two meetings between these teams have ended without goals. Juventus will be eager to break this streak, but to do so against AC Milan's restructured defense will pose its own challenges. Juventus is increasingly adopting a more attacking strategy, contrasting with their historically cautious approach, making for intriguing tactical battles almost certain.
The winner of this closely contested matchup will not only advance to the finals but could shift the momentum dramatically for the rest of the season for either side. With the January transfer window approaching, players from both teams might also feel the pressure of securing their spots for the challenges ahead.
Kick-off is set for 8:00 PM CET at Al-Awwal Park. Fans worldwide will be watching closely as Juventus and AC Milan look to kickstart 2025 with silverware ambitions high.