Juventus and Milan are set to clash once again, this time for the 2024-25 Supercoppa Italiana semifinal. The match, taking place at the King Saud University Stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on January 3, 2025, promises to bring excitement and tension as both Italian giants vie for a spot in the final.
This semifinal will kick off at 20:00 local time (GMT+1), adding another chapter to the storied rivalry between these two clubs. Historically, Juventus has enjoyed significant success against Milan, particularly in recent competitions, but Milan will be eager to turn the tide.
According to Eurosport, the tournament format has changed this year to include four teams: Atalanta, Inter, Juventus, and Milan, with €16.2 million on the line for the teams involved. Each squad aims to establish momentum as they position themselves for future matches.
Thiago Motta will lead Juventus for the first time in this prestigious tournament. His experience as both manager and player lends him insight, and he is determined to guide his team to victory. "I want to win as a coach, but it's not an obsession for me. I’m calm and confident about our strength and we want to go to the final," Motta said, expressing his focus on maximizing the squad's performance.
Manuel Locatelli, the Juventus captain, echoed his coach’s sentiments, emphasizing the importance of spearheading their efforts against Milan. "The Milan team is strong and has great individual players. It’s important we play our game and give our all. This is not going to be about drawing; it’s about winning the trophy," Locatelli stated, reflecting the determination and intensity required for knockout competitions.
On the other side, Milan has appointed Sergio Conceição as its new coach, who replaces Paulo Fonseca amid mixed performances. Conceição, marked by his pragmatic approach, aims to stabilize the team after recent struggles and bring results as swiftly as possible. "There are no excuses; results are all I care about. We need to improve from the situation we’ve been in," he asserted. His direct approach to leadership aims to infuse discipline and focus within the squad, setting high expectations right from the start.
The clash between Juventus and Milan is particularly notable this season, as the teams have recently faced off without scoring, each match ending 0-0. According to OPTA statistics, Juventus has won only twice out of the last twelve encounters across all competitions, showcasing significantly shifted dynamics between the clubs. This trend suggests increased pressure on both sides to break the scoring drought and assert their dominance.
For the semifinals, both teams will enter the match with near full-strength squads, but Juventus will be without players Milik, Bremer, and Cabal. Juventus's potential lineup includes Di Gregorio, Savona, Kalulu, Cambiaso, Locatelli, and Vlahovic, indicating their strategic 4-2-3-1 formation aimed at maximizing offensive pressure.
Meanwhile, Conceição is expected to field Milan's 4-3-3 formation featuring Maignan, Emerson Royal, Gabbia, Thiaw, Theo Hernandez, Bennacer, Fofana, Reijnders, Pulisic, Morata, and Jimenez. The wide play and attacking options will be pivotal for Milan, as they look to exploit any defensive lapses from their rivals.
Notably, both managers acknowledge the challenge posed by each team’s rich history and their own tactical decisions. Motta and Conceição will both be key figures on the touchline, shaping their teams' respective attacks and defenses as they push for opportunities to score.
The stakes are particularly high since the winner will not only advance to the finals on January 6 but also secure significant bragging rights and momentum heading back to Serie A. The competitive atmosphere of the Supercoppa Italiana serves to intensify the rivalry, ensuring passionate support from fans.
Fans can watch the match live on Canale 5 and stream it via Mediaset Infinity, enhancing accessibility for supporters around the globe.
This semifinal is anticipated to be more than just about the trophy; it’s the next chapter of illustrious legacies, where both sets of players will battle on the field, driven by the hopes of their supporters. Will Juventus resume its winning ways against Milan, or will Conceição’s new tactics bring forth a different outcome? All eyes will be on Riyadh this January.