The Rossoneri host Antonio Conte’s men amidst the title see-saw that has engulfed the league from the start, with both clubs looking for a win in a crunch clash.
Juventus will travel to San Siro to take on A.C Milan in matchday 25 encounter of the Serie A on Saturday, February 25 at 19:45 GMT.
The Italian champions come into this game on the back of a 3-1 win over Cesena recently. The victory catapulted the Rossoneri to the top of the league table.
On the other hand, Juventus have been unbeaten throughout the ongoing season, and demonstrated their form with a 3-1 victory over Catania last weekend.
Claudio Marchisio’s late brace handed Juventus a 2-0 win over the Champions in the return fixture of the current season at Juventus Stadium in October 2011.
AC Milan
The Rossoneri did not have best of the starts to February 2012, having lost their matches to http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Lazio-c39775 in the Serie A and the Old Lady in the first-leg of the semi-final of Italian Cup. However, the Diavolo bounced back strongly after
the blip, and have gone onto win three matches in a row.
They defeated Udinese before trouncing http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Arsenal-c38429 in the Champions league followed by a league win over Cesena last weekend.
The Milanese side have had the best attack in the league this season, scoring 48 goals in 24 matches played so far, averaging two goals a match.
The Italian Champions have been organised very well at the back too, with a miserly defence letting in only five goals at San Siro all season. They have lost only once at home this season, against bitter rivals, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Inter-c39567 Milan.
Juventus
Besides being the only undefeated team in the league, Juventus also boast the best defensive record in the Serie A this season, having conceded only 14 goals in 23 games played. The Lady Killers have not been prolific goal-scorers
this season, particularly away from home. They have managed to score only 12 times in their 11 away matches.
On a positive note, Antonio Conte’s men will feel confident ahead of the match, as their previous two visits to the Giuseppe Meazza Stadium have culminated in victories for the Turin outfit.
Team News
AC Milan
Massimiliano Allegri will be without the services of his influential striker, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Zlatan-Ibrahimovic-c38029, after Milan’s appeal on his three-match ban fell through. The Swede still remains suspended and will be serving the last match of
his sentence.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Alberto-Aquilani-c4313 remains a long-term absentee for the hosts.
However, Milan’s injury worries seem to be subsiding, as http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Robinho-c31382, while Nesta will undergo a late fitness test ahead
of the game.
Probable starting line-up: Abbiati, Abate, Nesta, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Thiago-Silva-c34903, Mesbah, Nocerino, Van Bommel, Muntari, Emanuelson, Pato, Robinho.
Juventus
Antonio Conte has a clean bill of health, with Luca Marrone being the only concern he has to contend with. Simone http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Pepe-c29670 will be available for selection after recovering from an injury.
However, Juventus have had a dry spell in front of goal, which would prompt the manager to play http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Alessandro-Matri-c4733.
Probable starting line-up: Buffon, Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini, Lichtsteiner, Vidal, Pirlo, Marchisio, Pepe, Quagliarella, Vucinic.
Player to watch
Robinho (AC Milan)
The Brazilian has been in a resurgent form of late, scoring three goals in Milan’s last two matches. Given Ibrahimovic’s absence, the former Real Madrid striker needs to show his impact at the club, and there is no better occasion
to prove his worth than the crunch clash of the season.
Pirlo (Juventus)
The Italian international has been in prime form for Juventus this season, pulling the strings in the midfield. He will be looking to prove a point against his former club, and show that he still has in him to be at the highest
level.
Prediction
It promises to be a thrilling contest, with the best attacking team of the Serie A battling it out against the best defence in the league. Both teams have been in rich vein of form, and it is difficult to pick out a winner. However,
Boateng and Ibrahimovic’s absence will be a big blow for the Rossoneri, and Juventus might walk off with a close fought win.
Verdict: 1-2
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