A penalty by Paulo Dybala and a goal from super-sub Moise Kean saw Juventus move one step closer to the Scudetto title, as they claimed a 2-1 win over Milan to move one step closer to the Scudetto.
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Before kick-off, a minute of silence was held in memory of former Juventus midfielder, Gianfranco Leoncini, who sadly passed away on Friday evening, and for the 10h anniversary of the earthquake in Aquila. Gennaro Gattuso’s men were desperate for a win after having gone three games without collecting maximum points, while Juventus knew that a victory against their rivals would put them one step closer to securing their eighth consecutive Scudetto title.
The Rossoneri immediately threatened the Juventus goal when Suso, who broke through the Bianconeri backline, delivered a cross into the box that met Piatek who headered it just inches wide of the goal. A good opportunity fell to the hosts in the 15th minute when Bernardeschi picked out Dybala inside the box, but he was offside.
The game had a great ebb and flow to it, with both teams looking to unlock their adversary’s defence. Massimiliano Allegri was forced into making an early substitution when Emre Can, who received a knock early on in the game, had to be taken off. Sami Khedira, who had been missing for over a month, marked his return to action by taking his place in the 25th minute of play.
VAR REVIEW
On the stroke of the half hour, Milan threatened Szczesny’s goal when a quick one-two between Suso and Kessie saw the Ivoirian’s shot go just wide of the goal posts. Referee Fabbri had to consult VAR in the 37th minute after Hakan’s cross contacted Alex Sandro’s hand, and he deemed it unintentional and blew for a corner.
PIATEK HANDS MILAN FIRST HALF LEAD
Moments later, the visitors found the back of the net when Bakayoko pounced on a defensive error by Bonucci to allow Piatek to fire a powerful effort past his fellow countryman, Szczesny. Juventus almost responded immediately when Mario Mandzukic fired in a powerful header into the back of the net, but it was commendably palmed away by Pepe Reina, to allow Milan to go into the break with a narrow lead.
After the break, ‘Tek’ was immediately called into action when Suso provided Calabria with a backheeled ball. He ran along the flank before cutting in and feeding a low ball to Piatek, who then fired a shot at goal, which was well dealt with by Szczesny.
LA JOYA FROM THE SPOT
The score changed to 1-1 when the referee pointed to the spot on the half hour mark after Musacchio brought down Dybala. The Argentine took to the spot and slotted home the perfect penalty by sending Reina in the wrong direction. That would be Dybala’s last bit of action of the game, as Allegri took him off in place of Kean, but not before Calhanoglu struck a free-kick that sailed just inches wide of the goals.
KEAN STRIKES AGAIN
The Bianconeri started to pile on the pressure, and they won a series of corners, which saw Alex Sandro threaten at goal with his glancing header that went out at the far post. Bernardeschi then tried his own luck with a snapshot that sailed over the crossbar in the 80th minute.
Milan’s defence was growing tired towards the end of the game and Moise Kean found himself one-on-one with Reina inside the box. He held his composure and fired a powerful effort past Reina to hand Juventus the lead.
Gattuso’s men attempted to pull back an equalizer, but the Bianconeri defence held out strong to claim three crucial points and move within touching distance of the Scudetto.
