Serie A Round 18: Juventus Youngster Awaits Opportunity as AC Milan and Sassuolo Strive to Avoid Setting New Records

In the early hours of December 31st, Serie A Round 18 continues with several intriguing matchups. Juventus' young talent Kenan Yildiz, who recently made his first Serie A start and scored his debut goal due to Federico Chiesa's injury, will be looking to make an impact again. Meanwhile, AC Milan and Sassuolo, both of whom have set new records for most goals conceded in a calendar year, will be striving to improve their defensive performances. Here’s an in-depth look at the upcoming matches and their potential implications.

Juventus vs. Roma: How Long Will Yildiz Play?

Juventus fans can take solace in the fact that Inter Milan was held to a draw by Genoa last night, which is the same result Juve achieved against Genoa two weeks ago. In their previous match, Juventus returned to winning ways against Frosinone, a team that has several young players on loan from the Bianconeri. The highlight of the match was the performance of 18-year-old Turkish midfielder Kenan Yildiz, who scored his first Serie A goal in his debut start, delighting fans and justifying Juventus' decision to bring him over from Bayern Munich's youth academy last season.

Despite Frosinone leveling the score at one point, Juventus secured the victory with a crucial goal from their reliable striker Dusan Vlahovic in the 81st minute. Chiesa, who missed the match due to a minor injury, is set to return and is eager to end his nine-game goal drought. Given Juventus' attacking struggles this season, Yildiz is likely to see significant playing time if the team fails to break down Roma's defense.

Roma, on the other hand, secured a significant 2-0 victory over reigning champions Napoli in their last home match. Known for his fiery temperament, Roma’s coach Jose Mourinho managed to keep his emotions in check, while his team caused Napoli to lose their composure. Even with equal numbers on the field, Roma largely controlled the game, showcasing Mourinho's tactical prowess. Roma's last win against Juventus in Serie A was in March of this year, marking their first victory over the Bianconeri in three years. Since 1995, Roma has never managed consecutive wins against Juventus, and playing away from home this round, the odds are against them. Juventus is expected to clinch a classic 1-0 victory.

AC Milan vs. Sassuolo: Who Will Continue Setting Records?

Despite trailing city rivals Inter by 12 points, AC Milan fans were likely cheered by Inter’s draw with Genoa. A win this round would narrow the gap at the top of the table to single digits. In their previous match against Salernitana, coached by the legendary Filippo Inzaghi, Milan aimed for a resounding victory. Although Fikayo Tomori gave Milan an early lead, they were pegged back once again, a recurring theme this season. If not for Luka Jovic’s late heroics, Milan might have suffered an embarrassing defeat.

The draw left Milan with 63 goals conceded in 2023, setting a new club record. Coach Stefano Pioli, who led Milan to the Scudetto two years ago, is under immense pressure. Tomori, who was injured in the second half of the last match, will miss this game, potentially giving young prospect Jan-Carlo Simic a chance to start.

Sassuolo visited San Siro in September and handed league leaders Inter Milan their only defeat of the season so far, with Domenico Berardi in scintillating form. However, Sassuolo’s overall performance in the first half of the season has been disappointing, leaving them just three points above the relegation zone. Despite having talented forwards like Andrea Pinamonti and Berardi, their weak defense has been their downfall.

Coincidentally, like Milan, Sassuolo has also set a new record for goals conceded in a calendar year, with 71 goals in 2023. This makes their upcoming clash at San Siro quite intriguing. Sassuolo has won their last three visits to San Siro, including a 5-2 victory over Milan in January, contributing significantly to Milan’s unwanted record. This match is likely to be a high-scoring affair, with both teams expected to put on an attacking display. A 2-2 draw seems a plausible outcome.

Yildiz’s Opportunity and Chiesa’s Return

Yildiz’s emergence as a promising talent has been one of the few bright spots for Juventus this season. His ability to seize the opportunity in Chiesa’s absence and score his debut goal has made him a fan favorite. With Chiesa back in the lineup, it will be interesting to see how much playing time Yildiz receives. Chiesa’s return is crucial as he aims to break his goal drought and lead Juventus’ attack.

Milan’s Defensive Woes and Sassuolo’s Struggles

AC Milan’s defensive issues have been a significant concern for Pioli. The team’s inability to maintain leads and their record number of goals conceded highlight the need for a more solid defensive strategy. The potential absence of Tomori only adds to their woes, putting pressure on young players like Simic to step up.

Sassuolo’s defensive frailties mirror those of Milan, with the team struggling to keep clean sheets despite their attacking prowess. The match against Milan presents an opportunity for Sassuolo to address these issues and climb away from the relegation zone. However, their history of performing well at San Siro gives them confidence heading into this fixture.

The Significance of Round 18

Round 18 of Serie A is pivotal for several reasons. For Juventus, it’s about maintaining pressure on Inter Milan at the top of the table while integrating young talents like Yildiz into the squad. For AC Milan, it’s an opportunity to reduce the gap at the top and address their defensive vulnerabilities. Sassuolo, meanwhile, will be looking to secure points and distance themselves from the relegation battle.

As the year ends, these matches will set the tone for the rest of the season. Fans will be eager to see how their teams perform and whether they can achieve their goals in the new year. With high stakes and intense competition, Serie A Round 18 promises to be an exciting conclusion to 2023.