Serie A Round 11: AC Milan Faces Familiar Faces Again, Can Juventus Stop Conceding?

Serie A’s 11th round unfolds in the early hours of November 3rd, with AC Milan traveling to face Fiorentina, hoping to avoid another setback caused by former Rossoneri players. In their previous match against Fiorentina, Yacine Adli, a former Milan player, left his mark, and this time, AC Milan faces Monza, a club with many ties to the Milanese giants. Monza’s coach, Alessandro Nesta, and forward Daniel Maldini, both closely associated with AC Milan, have the potential to make Milan fans sweat through another nerve-wracking night. Meanwhile, Juventus has conceded six goals in their last two matches, a defensive collapse that raises questions about their resilience and head coach Thiago Motta’s ability to steer the ship back on course.

Monza vs. AC Milan: Familiar Faces Cause Unease

Both Monza and AC Milan come into this match with their respective managers facing growing pressure. Alessandro Nesta’s Monza has managed just one win in their opening ten games, teetering above the relegation zone purely due to goal difference. Their overall performance hasn’t been drastically worse than last season, but they desperately need to iron out their mistakes to climb the standings. Their midweek clash against Atalanta was a testament to their defensive focus. For 70 minutes, they held Atalanta at bay with a strategy designed to grind out a draw, but their resistance finally cracked. Italy international forward Mateo Retegui set up Samardzic for the breakthrough goal. Nesta then introduced four attacking substitutes, including Daniel Maldini, son of Milan legend Paolo Maldini, but Monza’s offensive struggles persisted, and they ultimately conceded another goal, sealing their defeat.

For Milan fans, the comparison to Erik ten Hag’s dismissal from his coaching position might feel uncomfortably relevant. Paolo Fonseca, Milan's current manager, has fared only slightly better, having lost five of Milan’s first 12 matches. At this rate, qualifying for next season’s Champions League is beginning to look like a pipedream, let alone competing for the Scudetto. If not for Milan’s unexpected victory over Inter, Fonseca could very well have faced the same fate as Ten Hag. Their latest outing against Napoli only added to the misery. Romelu Lukaku once again haunted the Rossoneri, muscling his way into the box and scoring just five minutes into the match. Any hopes of a comeback were dashed as Napoli doubled their lead before halftime. Milan's attempts to respond fell flat.

One notable decision that has baffled fans is Fonseca's handling of Rafael Leão. The Portuguese winger, an undeniably emotional player, was benched for the match against Udinese, and even though he was given 30 minutes against Napoli, his frustration was palpable. Players like Leão thrive on confidence, and without the right motivation, it is almost impossible for them to deliver their best on the field. Fonseca’s tactical choices have raised eyebrows, especially with a player of Leão’s caliber in his ranks.

Monza holds a unique edge over Milan, having beaten them at home last season for the first time in club history. Daniel Maldini, the young forward, played a pivotal role in that match, delivering a crucial assist when Monza had lost their two-goal cushion. His stint with Monza has been fruitful, as he has even debuted for Italy’s national team through the UEFA Nations League. Now, Maldini looks to combine forces with Nesta to orchestrate another upset against Milan. Monza is expected to operate at roughly 10% of their potential, while Milan, battered and bruised, will also need to dig deep for a similar effort.

Udinese vs. Juventus: Defensive Turmoil

Udinese’s previous match saw them suffer a shocking collapse against Venezia, a side languishing in the relegation zone. The Zebrette had stormed to a 2-0 lead within 30 minutes, seemingly convinced that victory was a formality. But complacency set in, and their relaxed approach backfired. Venezia pulled one back from the penalty spot just before halftime, and Udinese’s casual play continued in the second half. Their towering 2.06-meter defender, Toure, struggled with his lack of agility, conceding a foul just outside the box and receiving a red card. Despite the foul occurring outside the area, Venezia capitalized on the resulting free kick, tying the game. From there, Udinese crumbled, and Venezia's full comeback was no longer a surprise.

Juventus, on the other hand, is going through a defensive crisis of their own. Since their Champions League defeat to Stuttgart, the goals have been flooding into the back of their net. While it’s somewhat understandable to concede in a fierce derby against Inter, the two goals allowed against Parma were harder for fans to swallow. Thiago Motta's decision-making has also come under scrutiny. In their last match, Tim Weah, who had a goal and an assist, was substituted for İldız, a move that did little to energize the team or reclaim the lead.

Last season, Juventus and Udinese each claimed away victories when they faced off. Given the Old Lady’s erratic form, Udinese could exploit this instability. Both teams are poised to perform at around 10% of their potential, and with Juventus struggling to shore up their defense, anything could happen.

The bigger narrative surrounding Juventus is whether Motta can resolve the alarming defensive lapses. Their backline, which seemed so secure at the start of the season, now looks porous and vulnerable. This newfound fragility has fans and pundits questioning whether the squad is losing its identity or if Motta has failed to instill the necessary resilience. With a tough schedule looming, the time for defensive reinvention is now, or Juventus might see their campaign spiral further out of control.

Conclusion of Drama

The Serie A season is entering a crucial phase, with giants like AC Milan and Juventus facing intense scrutiny. Milan’s old connections with Monza, the drama surrounding Leão and Fonseca, and Juventus's unraveling defense make this round one to watch. Football is never short on narratives, and these matchups only add to the growing theater of Italy’s top flight. Fans of both clubs will be holding their breath, hoping their teams can find the right answers, while others, like Monza and Udinese, will aim to seize any opportunity to make a statement.