Match Report - Juventus 4-2 AC Milan

A pulsating match ended with the right result, as Juventus kept up the pressure on Serie A leader Inter Milan, and moved 3 points ahead of AC Milan.

The first half was end to end stuff with both sides creating chances and scoring. Early on Pato sprung the offside trap but his first touch let him down. Juventus then became the more dominant side. Swedish international Olof Mellberg had a glancing header that went wide, then in the 16th minute Del Piero was brought down in the box by Jankulovski and correctly awarded a penalty. He smashed the spot kick into the top corner.

Milan responded and Ambrosini somehow put his header over the bar. Then Manninger, the Juevntus keeper in for the injured Buffon, did well to keep a Pirlo freekick out. Seedorf and Ronaldinho were linking up well and providing dangerous balls for the Brazilian youngster Pato. Eventually the goal came and Ronaldinho whipped in a cross from the left which Pato met in the six yard box and beat the keeper.

Three minutes later Juventus were ahead again from a set piece which Chiellini nodded into the bottom corner. Poor defending by Milan, left him free to pick his spot with time and little effort. Amauri was then left unmarked and punished Milan just before half time with a decent header and the teams left the field for half time with Juventus leading 3-1.

Out of form Shevchenko was introduced at half time and Seedorf was given a deeper role to try and protect the Milan back four. It seemed to work as Milan were able to apply more pressure to Juventus and eventually were rewarded with  goal, although it was fortunate. Ambrosini hit a speculative shot from distance than took a deflection off Chiellini and trickled past Manninger who had already dove to safe the initial shot.

Juventus then went on the attack again and Zambrotta made a badly timed tackle against De Ceglie. He received his second yellow and marching orders. The taunting he received from the tifosi seemed to have had an effect. Ancelotti switched to a three man defence and Juventus took advantage as Amauri scored again.

It should have then been 5-2 as Del Piero thumped a sweet strike against the upright. He should have done better though as he had time and space to pick his spot. Inzaghi came on for Pato but by then it was too late.

Juventus deserved the victory as they played well as a team with Sisoko, Amauri and Del Piero making the difference over a tired, old looking Milan who were too dependent on Ronaldinho for inspiration.