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Juventus host AC Milan in a blockbuster Serie A clash at the Allianz Stadium on Sunday. The Bianconeri are still looking for their first win of the season, having made a disastrous start to Massimiliano Allegri's second term in charge.
Cristiano Ronaldo's departure has also been a huge blow, as the side have lost both their games since his return to Manchester United was confirmed. Meanwhile, in-form AC Milan are in form, with Stefano Pioli's men one of only three teams with a 100% record after three rounds.
Their momentum was halted following a 3-2 loss to Liverpool in the Champions League on Wednesday. But the Rossoneri can take heart from a spirited performance on their return to Europe's premier club tournament after seven years.
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As attention now turns towards league football, here are five reasons why Juventus might struggle against high-flying AC Milan on Sunday:
#5 AC Milan know how to score goals
Since Stefano Piolo took charge, AC Milan have become a goalscoring machine, capable of striking with frightening regularity. That's an attribute they've carried into the new season too, with seven goals from their opening three games.
To put that into perspective, only defending champions Inter Milan, AS Roma and Lazio (nine goals apiece) have scored more than Milan thus far. Moreover, despite having two deadly snipers up front in Olivier Giroud and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Milan have had six different names this season.
Milan have been a menacing outfit offensively, with the ability to produce goals from various positions, something Juventus might struggle to cope with.
#4 Juventus' defence has been shambolic
It's no secret Juventus have been shambolic defensively for quite some time. That played a key role in their Serie A reign coming to an end last season, as the Bianconeri only came fourth.
Into the new season now, but the Bianconeri are facing the same old problems in defence, struggling against all three teams they've faced thus far.
They blew up a 2-0 advantage against Udinese on the opening day, and lost against newly promoted Empoli at home. Juventus then squandered an early lead in their defeat to Napoli,
In stark contrast, Milan have fired at all cylinders and will fancy their chances of inflicting more pain on the embattled Bianconeri.
#3 Juventus don't have Cristiano Ronaldo coming to their rescue now
Cristiano Ronaldo couldn't come to Juventus' rescue during their 3-0 drubbing against AC Milan last season. But Ronaldo, more often than not, stepped up to the plate for them during his three years with the team.
Now that he has left the club to return to Manchester United, the former Serie A champions are without a talisman who can bail them out.
Paulo Dybala is in good form right now, while Alvaro Morata is bagging goals too. But it's safe to say that neither of these players, with all due respect, are at the same level as the Portuguese ace, who's simply a quintessential big-game player.
#2 Juventus lack big-game mentality
It sounds ironic, considering Juventus have been one of the big teams in Europe in recent years. They have arguably been the biggest in the Serie A owing to their decade-long domestic dominance.
But an important reason why that hegemony ended in a way it did last season was their shortcomings in big games. Against sides that finished inside the top seven places last season, the Bianconeri accumulated only 18 points from a possible 36. That was four fewer than in the 2019-20 season, and nine fewer than what they accumulated a season before that.
It's a testament to Juventus' decline against stronger teams. They have struggled against the likes of Inter Milan, AS Roma, Lazio, Napoli and even AC Milan. In fact, the Rossoneri won twice in three clashes with Juventus across competitions last season.
#1 AC Milan have their X-factor back
If you've been watching AC Milan since last year, you'll know how they've been playing with coherence, dynamism and attacking effervescence that wasn't seen in their game for a long time.
The Rossoneri have become a fearless, cohesive unit capable of taking down any side with their goalscoring might. They have also had a solid defensive line that can keep out the most dangerous of attackers.
Stefano Pioli has successfully revived the side since their title-winning days in the early 2010s, as Milan have registered their biggest results in a long time.
Their spectacular 3-0 trouncing of Juventus in May still rankles many Bianconeri supporters. Such is AC Milan's form right now that a repeat is very much likely.
