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Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri took retribution for being sacked, as his side prevailed 1-0 over his former employers with Carlos Tevez scoring the only goal of the night.Billed as the first major clash of the season, both sides took to the field on the back of 2 back-to-back victories in the opening 2 games, but it was Juventus who made it 3 out of 3, as they overcame Inzaghi led AC Milan 1-0 at San Siro to continue their perfect start to the campaign.Here are the 5 talking points from the game:
#1 Milan are not ready for big matches yet
After enduring a torrid 2013-14 campaign which saw them finish 7th in the league, Milan were on a quest to restore the lost pride. However, until this match, they seemed to be going about it well, but the defeat handed them a harsh reality check.
While they seem sublime in the attack, their defence remains woebegone. In the opening 2 games of the league, Milan scored 8 goals but conceded 5, 4 of which came in the Parma game, where their defensive frailties were greatly exposed. Although these shortcomings can be overshadowed against lesser challenging opponents like Parma, it surely cannot be in bigger games like this.
Head coach Filippo Inzaghi must address these issues at the earliest, if his side are to be serious contendors for the Scudetto as they still have a long way to go.
#2 Tevez finally found his goalscoring boots
Argentina international Carlos Tevez was once again to the rescue as he scored a 71st mnute winner, helping them secure a third successive win in Serie A.
In the mid-week, Tevez was on target in their Champions League opener against Malmo, as he bagged a brace deep in the second half to rescue Bianconeri from the blushes and against the Milan outfit, he was at it once again.
After a sluggish first-half, the former Manchester City forward burst into life in the second half, as he waltzed through the Milan area and latched onto Paul Pogba’s delicious cross with a clinical finishing. The 26-year old has now scored 4 goals in all competitions for Le Zebre and will be aiming to add to that tally as he looks to be in hot form at the moment.
#3 Jeremy Menez - the star of the evening for Milan
Amidst the lacklustre display by the home side, there was one player who went whole nine yards for his team and was a constent threat for the visitors. That player was none other than Jeremy Menez. The French international was on target in the previous two games and although he failed to make it for the third time, Menez was, undeniably,the best player for Milan.
The 27-year old moved to San Siro in this summer after 3 seasons with French side Paris St.Germain and is having immediate impact in the squad. Menez tried to orchestrate the attack from the midfield for myriad times and also had made crucial interceptions during the process. The Frenchman gave a tough time to the Juve attackers as he drifted between the defence and the midfield.
Menez excelled in his false 9 role and was the most lethal player amongst the red and black shirts.
#4 Sheer goal-keeping brilliance on both ends
For AC Milan, Christian Abbiati came in for the injured Diego Lopez and fulfilled his job in style with some great clearances.
In the 31st minute, Fernando Llorente threatened to goal but saw his effort parried by Abbiati. But just few minutes later, he once again prevented Llorente from finding the net. Although he let the winning goal in, his superb proficiency inbetween the sticks kept his side from being inflicted with more damage.
At the other end, his opposite number-Gianluigi Buffon too, exhibited an overwhelming performance in front of goal. Having held onto the strikes by Honda, Menez and El Shaarawy, the Italian managed to guard the net from being invaded and stood firm as a wall that exasperated Milan attackers.
Buffon has now recorded a third successive cleansheet in Serie A and it is due to his adeptness that he remains the number choice for Juventus, even at the age of 36.
#5 Can Allegri lead Juventus to their 4th straight Scudetto?
Ever since Massimiliano Allegri took over the reigns from the departed Antonio Conte, bold predictions about Juventus’ downfall were being made and he wasn’t welcomed much. Last season, Milan stooped to deplorable depths under him and it is out of this that such premonitions haboured amongst the Juventus faithfuls.
However, all such fears have been allayed as Allegri, uptil now, has managed to keep the critics mum. Under him, Juventus have made an encouraging start to their domestic campaign, having won all 3 of their games and sit 3 points clear at the top.
Allegri has a swashbuckling squad at his disposal, with atleast one formidable player in every department. What remains is to see how long can he keep the momentum going and how astute he proves to be in his tactical nous.
