Serie A 2017/18: AC Milan 0-2 Juventus - 5 Talking Points

AC Milan 0-2 Juventus

Goals: Gonzalo Higuain 23', 63'

The opening game of matchday 11 saw Juventus face a tricky away trip to San Siro to face AC Milan. The buildup for the match was huge, but the on-field action failed to match the expectations as Juventus eased to a comfortable win over the Rossoneri.

A double from Gonzalo Higuain was enough to secure all three points, and to temporarily, at least, send Juventus to the top of the table on goal difference.

AC Milan never really turned up the pressure on the defending champions and despite having ample possession in the first half, looked bereft of ideas in the final third.

Meanwhile, it was the clinical streak of the Turin side which came to the fore and handed Massimiliano Allegri a much-deserved win over his former employers. On that note, take a look at the five talking points from Italy's elite clash between AC Milan and Juventus:

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#5 A needed clean sheet for the Bianconeri

The Bianconeri backline managed a clean sheet at last

Juventus arrived in this game after scoring 10 goals in their last two matches. Still, the champions had not yet fully convinced anyone including their manager, Allegri. He was critical of his side in the midweek win over SPAL.

Juventus' defence looked a bit shaky in almost every game this season and an away game against Milan provided the best opportunity for these lot to announce they're coming back to form in style.

Juventus had not kept a clean sheet in their last five matches but against Milan, and their entire backline rose to the occasion. The central pairing of Giorgio Chiellini and Daniele Rugani were imperious, with Chiellini making a last-ditch block in the final minute to guarantee a clean sheet.

He fisted and celebrated that tackle which just goes on to show how important this match was for the Bianconeri! The defence was sensational and it is safe to say that the real Juve have finally woken up.

#4 AC Milan still a long, long way away from the top teams

The gulf is still too big between Milan and the title contenders

The Rossoneri, after their mind-boggling summer business, started the season with a bang and won 9 out of their first 10 matches in all competitions. But, the brakes have failed and the tyres have started to fall off for this Milan side, with the defeat to Juventus being their fourth in the last six games. It's not like AC Milan did not have chances of their own to turn this game around.

Milan enjoyed a lot of possession in the first half but could not create much in the final third of the pitch. Compare that with Juventus' attacking threat and one can understand the gulf in class between the two.

Not just Juventus, on current form, Napoli and Inter are also miles better than this Milan side who seem to lack conviction in their attacking unit and also don't seem to have fixated their best formation. (Milan have dabbled with 4-2-3-1 and 3-4-3 this season)

#3 Paulo Dybala's classy performance

Paulo Dybala was in god-mode at the San Siro

World-class players dictate and influence big matches, and top games like this give us all we need to know about the difference between a good and a great player. Paulo Dybala certainly falls into the latter category, and looks like he lives for these kinds of matches.

Against Milan, Dybala pulled the strings for Juventus and had a huge hand in both the goals scored by Higuain.

He gave an inch-perfect pass to his countryman for the first goal, whereas his dummy for the second gave Higuain the needed time and space to hit a powerful shot. Dybala's touches, skills, his precision of a pass, his positioning; everything was right up to the mark.

The Argentine attempted four shots, but it was only a goal which was missing from an otherwise perfect Dybala show. Displays like this make one believe that he is the future of the game after the great duopoly at the top comes to an end.

#2 Pressure mounts on Vincenzo Montella

Walking on thin ice

A 0-0 draw against Genoa with 10 men and a 4-1 win over Chievo in the last week made everyone think that Milan were back on track after a dismal September. But, the Rossoneri are back to square one after another dispirited performance against Juventus.

AC Milan, at the moment, are 12 points below Juventus and Napoli, which could increase to 15 tonight, if Napoli beat Sassuolo.

Milan are closer to the relegation zone at the moment than they are to the top. Their goal difference is also a disappointing 0 at the moment (16 scored, 16 conceded). Montella's days seem to be numbered at the moment despite the board recently giving their full support to the man in charge.

But the manner of the losses, combined with the ever-increasing gap between Milan and the top teams, the owners are expected to pull the trigger on Montella anytime soon. Paulo Sousa of Fiorentina is the choice to replace him at the helm according to leading Italian tabloids.

#1 Pipita is back with a bang

Gonzalo Higuain reached the milestone of 100 Serie A goals against AC Milan

Gonzalo Higuain had looked somewhat off-pace in the last few matches, but against Milan, the Argentine showed just as to why he is considered as one of the best in his position. He may not have the athleticism and the work-rate of modern day strikers, but the Argentine makes up for it with his sublime finishing. This was starkly evident against Milan.

Higuain took two clinical shots which rattled the back of the net and gave Juventus a fine away victory. At the San Siro, Higuain looked ruthless and had a mean streak about it; one which every top striker in the world needs.

His first was a thunderous finish after a well-taken pass gave him space to turn and shoot. The second was a pure striker's goal, the Argentine slotted it past Gianluigi Donnarumma at his near post with some help of the post. The brace against Milan took his Serie A tally to 101 overall goals in the league and seven for the current season.