AC Milan’s stretched medical department will need to work their magic for Gonzalo Higuain to haunt Juventus on Sunday night.
The availability of the ex-Bianconeri centre forward dominates the talking points about of this grandstand Serie A meeting.
GONZALO’S READY TO GO?
For once, not all attention is focused on Cristiano Ronaldo.
The availability of Higuain has transfixed Italy, after his removal from last Sunday’s dramatic 1-0 win at Udinese with a back complaint. A gentle return to training in the wake of being absent for Thursday’s Europa League draw at Real Betis provides promise.
‘El Pipita’ rocketed in 55 goals in 105 matches for Juve, prior to August’s sacrifice – initially on loan – to make way for the aforementioned Portugal superstar.
The Bianconeri also know his lethality against former employers. A decisive five goals were plundered in six run-outs against Napoli.
Repeat the trick and new life will be breathed into both Milan, and Serie A.
NO TIME TO PANIC… JUST YET
Juve will still wonder how a first defeat of the season was registered in midweek against Manchester United.
The late collapse to lose 2-1 in the Champions League, however, highlighted some issues.
Wear your colours
— AC Milan (@acmilan) November 9, 2018
🔴 Colour your world ⚫#MilanJuve: 2 days to go#PassionIsColours #PassionIsRednBlack pic.twitter.com/EhB0VjwoH4
By 11 Serie A games last term, they’d scored 33 times. Now, that figure is 24 for the leaders.
October 20’s 1-1 draw with Genoa began a run of five fixtures, in all competitions, during which Juve’s superiority has not been reflected in the scoreline. Head coach Massimiliano Allegri must rediscover a ruthless edge
WALKING WOUNDED
“We’ll battle on. Excuses get you nowhere.”
These words are a neat summation of Milan’s fitness crisis and boss Gennaro Gattuso’s frame of mind.
Obituaries were written after October 21’s depressing 1-0 derby loss to Inter Milan. Injuries have piled up since, Argentine centre-back Mateo Musacchio becoming the latest at Betis courtesy of a sickening collision with team-mate Franck Kessie.
And yet fuelled by the brilliance of Spanish playmaker Suso, the Rossoneri remain in the Champions League spots. If a five-match losing streak against Juve can be corrected, Gattuso’s standing will only increase.
