Juventus will welcome AC Milan in what should be a mouthwatering Serie A clash this Sunday.
Two of Italy’s most decorated clubs face off under the Turin lights on Sunday evening, as Juventus welcome AC Milan to the Allianz Stadium in what promises to be a captivating Serie A showdown.
Separated by a single point in the standings, both sides have made encouraging starts to the 2025/26 season and see this as a key early test in their title ambitions.
For Juventus, consistency has been the main theme under Igor Tudor. The Bianconeri remain unbeaten in Serie A, extending their league run without defeat to 10 matches dating back to April. However, despite the solidity, performances have not been without their flaws.
A 1-1 draw against an injury-stricken Atalanta BC last weekend saw them drop valuable points, salvaged only by a late equaliser from Juan Cabal. Tudor’s side have shown attacking improvement, but defensive lapses continue to haunt them, a recurring theme evident again in their Champions League campaign.
In midweek, Juventus were involved in yet another thriller, following up their chaotic 4-4 draw with Borussia Dortmund by drawing 2-2 with Villarreal. Despite leading 2-1 heading into the final minutes, they were pegged back by former loanee Renato Veiga’s equaliser.
The Croatian coach will be looking for a reaction as Juve return to domestic action, aiming to close the gap on leaders Napoli, AS Roma, and AC Milan. They can take confidence from their 1-0 win over the Rossoneri at this venue in January, though that remains their only victory in the last four meetings between the sides.
For Milan, the narrative is equally compelling. Massimiliano Allegri, returning to Turin as an opponent, will manage against Juventus for the first time since his fiery departure following the 2024 Coppa Italia final.
Now at the helm of a revitalized Rossoneri, Allegri has restored tactical discipline and purpose to the side that was once his undoing. Milan sit atop the Serie A table after four consecutive victories, their most recent being a dramatic 2-1 win over reigning champions Napoli.
Even with ten men, Milan showed grit and fluidity, with Christian Pulisic continuing his sparkling form, scoring one goal and assisting another. The partnership between Luka Modric and Adrien Rabiot has transformed the midfield dynamic, combining elegance with aggression, a reflection of Allegri’s hallmark style.
Having outwitted Antonio Conte’s Napoli last weekend, Allegri will now aim to add another notable scalp, his former employers, in what promises to be a fiery tactical duel between two masters of Italian football. The Hard Tackle takes a look at how both sides could line up and what tactics they might employ on the day.
Team News & Tactics
Juventus
Juventus head coach Igor Tudor faces a few injury concerns ahead of the weekend clash against AC Milan. The Bianconeri will be without Colombian wing-back Juan Cabal, who sustained a thigh injury just 15 minutes into Wednesday night’s Champions League draw with Villarreal. He now joins Fabio Miretti, who is still recovering from a muscular problem, on the treatment table.
However, there is encouraging news for Juventus fans, as both Gleison Bremer and Khephren Thuram are expected to make their returns to the starting lineup. Bremer’s comeback will be a major boost for the defensive unit, while Thuram’s recovery from a minor knock could see him replace Weston McKennie in central midfield.
In attack, Tudor faces a pleasant selection dilemma. Dusan Vlahovic, Lois Openda, and Jonathan David are all pushing for a place in the starting XI. Vlahovic remains the natural first-choice striker, but Openda’s energy and David’s versatility could tempt the coach into some tactical reshuffling depending on how the game unfolds.
Juventus are expected to line up in a 3-4-2-1 formation. Michele Di Gregorio will retain his spot in goal, shielded by a back three of Federico Gatti, Gleison Bremer, and Lloyd Kelly, who together will aim to contain Milan’s fluid attacking trio.
Out wide, Pierre Kalulu and Andrea Cambiaso are likely to occupy the wing-back roles, providing both defensive cover and overlapping runs to support transitions. In midfield, Manuel Locatelli will anchor the play, operating as the deep-lying playmaker, while Khephren Thuram will provide physicality and forward thrust alongside him.
Further forward, Francisco Conceicao and Kenan Yildiz will slot in as the two attacking midfielders, drifting into half-spaces to connect with the front line and exploit any gaps in Milan’s defence. At the tip of the formation, Dusan Vlahovic should lead the line, using his aerial prowess and hold-up play to trouble the Rossoneri’s back three.
This setup allows Juventus to balance compactness at the back with rapid vertical transitions, a key feature of Tudor’s tactical philosophy. The wing-backs will be crucial in stretching Milan’s shape and providing service into the box for Vlahovic, while the midfield duo will need to match Milan’s intensity to prevent being overrun.
Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Di Gregorio; Gatti, Bremer, Kelly; Kalulu, Locatelli, Thuram, Cambiaso; Conceicao, Yildiz; Vlahovic
AC Milan
AC Milan manager Massimiliano Allegri has a few key selection concerns heading into Sunday’s clash in Turin. Defender Fikayo Tomori, who was strongly linked with a move to Juventus during the summer transfer window, is struggling with a thigh strain and remains a major doubt for this encounter. His absence would be a significant blow to Milan’s defensive stability.
Adding to Allegri’s defensive worries, left-back Pervis Estupinan is suspended after receiving a red card in the 2-1 victory over Napoli last weekend. The Ecuadorian’s absence will likely force a reshuffle in the back line, with Davide Bartesaghi expected to deputise on the left flank.
In more positive news, star winger Rafael Leao has returned to fitness after missing recent fixtures through injury. While the Portuguese forward is unlikely to start, he could feature from the bench if Milan need attacking reinforcements later in the game. Meanwhile, Christian Pulisic continues to be Milan’s most productive attacker this season, already contributing to six goals in all competitions. His creativity and movement will be crucial if Milan are to penetrate Juventus’s compact defensive structure.
Up front, Santiago Giménez is expected to partner Pulisic, leading the line with his strength and clinical finishing. Allegri will be hoping the pair can combine effectively against a Juve defence that has been difficult to break down in recent weeks.
AC Milan are likely to deploy a 3-5-2 formation at the Allianz Stadium. Mike Maignan will start between the posts, bringing reliability and composure in goal. Ahead of him, the three-man defensive line should feature Koni De Winter, Matteo Gabbia, and Strahinja Pavlovic. With Tomori unavailable, Gabbia will likely assume the central defensive role, tasked with organising the back line and dealing with Dusan Vlahovic’s aerial threat.
On the flanks, Alexis Saelemaekers is expected to operate as a right wing-back, offering width and energy up the flank, while Davide Bartesaghi will fill in for the suspended Estupinan on the left. Both will be vital in providing service to the forwards and tracking Juventus’s wide overloads.
In midfield, Youssouf Fofana will act as the dynamic ball-winner, providing defensive balance alongside Luka Modric, who will dictate play from deep with his passing vision and experience. Adrien Rabiot will complete the trio, operating as a box-to-box midfielder, linking defence to attack through intelligent positioning and late runs into the penalty area.
In attack, Christian Pulisic will play just off Santiago Gimenez, drifting into pockets of space to exploit Juventus’s defensive gaps and create goal-scoring chances. Gimenez, meanwhile, will spearhead the attack as the primary finisher, using his physicality to hold up play and bring Pulisic and Rabiot into attacking moves.
This setup allows Milan to remain compact defensively while maintaining flexibility in transition. With Modric orchestrating from midfield and Pulisic providing pace and creativity, Milan will look to control possession and stretch Juventus’s defensive line, particularly down the wings.
Probable Lineup (3-5-2): Maignan; De Winter, Gabbia, Pavlovic; Saelemaekers, Fofana, Modric, Rabiot, Bartesaghi; Pulisic, Gimenez
Key Stats
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Juventus and AC Milan have been inseparable in recent years, their last eight Serie A encounters have produced two wins each and four draws. Only eight goals have been scored by either side combined during that period, highlighting how tightly contested and defensively disciplined these fixtures have been.
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The Bianconeri have kept four consecutive clean sheets against Milan in Serie A, their longest such run in the fixture’s history. The last goal they conceded to the Rossoneri was scored by Olivier Giroud in May 2023, meaning Milan have gone over 400 minutes without scoring against Juventus.
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Juventus won their most recent home meeting with Milan (2–0 in January 2025), ending Milan’s four-match unbeaten streak in Turin. Interestingly, only one of the last six Serie A clashes between these sides in Piedmont has ended level, a 1–1 draw in September 2021.
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Igor Tudor’s side are one of only three unbeaten teams in Serie A this season. Their ongoing ten-match unbeaten run (W6 D4) stretches back to April 2025, when they last lost a domestic game, to Parma. This consistency has been built largely on their defensive resilience and efficient counter-attacks.
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Under Massimiliano Allegri, AC Milan have rediscovered form, winning four consecutive Serie A matches, marking their longest winning streak since April 2024 (under Stefano Pioli). During this run, the Rossoneri have scored eight goals while conceding only twice, reflecting a well-balanced and revitalized side.
Player to Watch
Dusan Vlahovic
All eyes will be on Dusan Vlahovic, Juventus’s prolific frontman, as he leads the line against AC Milan in what promises to be a high-stakes encounter in Turin. The Serbian striker has rediscovered his rhythm under Igor Tudor, combining physical dominance with sharp finishing to reassert himself as one of Serie A’s most lethal forwards.
Vlahovic’s ability to hold up play, link with attacking midfielders like Kenan Yildiz and Francisco Conceicao, and convert even half-chances makes him indispensable to Juventus’s tactical setup. His aerial prowess and clinical left foot are constant threats, especially when service comes from wide areas via Andrea Cambiaso and Pierre Kalulu.
The 24-year-old has scored crucial goals in tight matches this season, often breaking deadlocks when Juventus need inspiration. Against a reshuffled Milan backline missing Fikayo Tomori and Pervis Estupinan, Vlahovic’s physical presence and predatory instincts could prove decisive. If he finds space in the box, Milan’s defence may struggle to contain him for the full ninety minutes.
In a fixture historically defined by small margins, Vlahovic’s sharpness and composure in front of goal could be the difference between another Juventus draw and a statement win.
Prediction
Juventus 2–1 AC Milan
Both Juventus and AC Milan come into this clash in strong domestic form, with unbeaten streaks that underline their credentials as title contenders. Juventus have built their recent success on defensive discipline, conceding very few goals in Serie A this season, while AC Milan’s resurgence under Massimiliano Allegri has been driven by sharp attacking transitions and the creative spark of Christian Pulisic.
The hosts’ biggest advantage lies in their defensive solidity and the return of key players such as Bremer and Khephren Thuram, which should restore balance to Igor Tudor’s system. Dusan Vlahovic will look to capitalise on a weakened Milan backline missing Fikayo Tomori and Pervis Estupinan, giving Juventus a slight edge in physical duels inside the box.
Milan, however, remain dangerous on the counterattack, especially with Christian Pulisic and Santiago Gimenez capable of punishing any defensive lapses. Yet, the Rossoneri’s lack of defensive stability and fatigue from squad adjustments could tilt the contest in Juventus’s favour.
