Serie A Round 8: Is AC Milan's Coach Misunderstanding Substitutions? Juventus Lacking Fire in Domestic League

The eighth round of Serie A brought a fresh wave of excitement and controversy, particularly surrounding the tactical decisions of AC Milan's head coach, Paulo Fonseca. With the Rossoneri faltering in the league after a European defeat, questions have arisen about Fonseca’s approach to substitutions and how his decisions may be impacting the team’s performance. Meanwhile, Juventus has been dealing with a peculiar dichotomy in form: while the Bianconeri have been clinical in the UEFA Champions League, they appear sluggish and uninspired in their domestic fixtures, leaving fans wondering if their focus has shifted away from Serie A.

AC Milan vs Udinese: Substitutions Wasted in a Critical Match

In AC Milan's recent encounter with Udinese, a match that came just days after a Champions League defeat to Bayer Leverkusen, Milan struggled once again to regain their footing. The 1-2 loss to Fiorentina in the league following that European disappointment knocked the Rossoneri out of the top four in Serie A, ending their three-match winning streak. Fonseca’s decision to field nearly the same starting XI as in the Champions League, with only one change, raised eyebrows. This lack of rotation seemed to take a toll on the team’s fitness, as Milan looked fatigued from the outset.

Within the first 20 minutes, Milan conceded a penalty, a clear sign that their energy levels were not on par with their opponents. Fortunately for the Rossoneri, goalkeeper Mike Maignan was in top form, saving the penalty taken by Kean. However, Fiorentina's veteran goalkeeper, David De Gea, wasn't about to let Maignan steal the spotlight. De Gea would go on to save two penalties himself — one from Tammy Abraham and another from Theo Hernandez — leading Fiorentina to hand Milan their second defeat of the season.

A key issue in this match, and a broader trend in Milan's recent performances, is Fonseca’s hesitancy to make tactical substitutions. The coach appears to view substitutions primarily as a means to preserve energy rather than to change the dynamics of the game. Even when the team is struggling, Fonseca rarely utilizes his full allotment of changes, a move that some see as a wasted opportunity to inject fresh energy and ideas into the squad.

Last season, Olivier Giroud was Milan's primary penalty taker. This season, Christian Pulisic stepped up in the fourth round to score the team's first penalty of the campaign, in a 2-0 victory over Venezia, where Tammy Abraham netted his first goal for the Rossoneri. In the most recent league match, Pulisic again started and briefly brought Milan level. Considering his reliability and sense of responsibility, Pulisic seems like the logical choice to be Milan’s first-choice penalty taker moving forward. Fonseca must recognize this and make clearer decisions regarding his key players in critical moments.

Another tactical trend under Fonseca has been his preference for making substitutions only when Milan are leading. When the team is ahead, he tends to make the maximum number of changes, but when trailing, he leans heavily on his starting lineup to grind through the full 90 minutes. This reluctance to utilize the bench, especially when behind, has drawn criticism, as it limits Milan’s ability to mount comebacks or maintain intensity in matches where fatigue plays a factor. With multiple competitions to navigate, including the Champions League, Milan must find a way to manage squad rotation more effectively if they are to compete on all fronts.

Udinese: Formidable but Struggling Against Elite Teams

On the other side of this matchup, Udinese entered the game on the back of a 1-0 victory over Lecce, which ended a two-match losing streak. The Friulani dominated the match and found the breakthrough in the 75th minute. They currently sit ahead of Milan in the standings, a testament to their strong start to the season. Udinese have already won four games this season, just two fewer than their total from the entirety of last season. However, their form against top-tier opponents has been inconsistent. Before their win over Lecce, they suffered consecutive defeats to Inter Milan and AS Roma, conceding three goals in each of those games, raising questions about their ability to compete with the league’s elite.

In their last two seasons, AC Milan and Udinese have split victories evenly, with each side claiming two wins. This time, with Milan facing Champions League commitments against Club Brugge and Real Madrid in the coming weeks, the timing of the match (scheduled for Saturday to accommodate Milan's European fixtures) could prove crucial. After losing their first two Champions League matches against stronger opponents, Milan will be desperate to pick up points against Brugge, but Udinese won’t make it easy. The visitors are poised to test Milan’s depth and fitness, while Milan must find a way to juggle both domestic and European ambitions.

Juventus vs Lazio: The Bianconeri's Split Personality

Over in Turin, Juventus continues to confound observers with their contrasting performances in Europe and Serie A. In the Champions League, Juventus has been a dominant force, scoring three goals in consecutive matches. But in Serie A, they have been steady yet uninspiring, with critics noting a distinct lack of passion in their domestic outings. Fans are beginning to wonder if Juventus is shifting its priorities, focusing more on European success than domestic dominance.

This season, Juventus have struggled to convert early leads into decisive victories. In their recent home fixture against Cagliari, they took the lead with a penalty in the 15th minute but failed to secure the win, conceding a late equalizer with just two minutes of regular time remaining. The 1-1 draw marked Juventus’s fourth stalemate of the season, a frustrating outcome for fans who expect more from a team of their caliber. While draws were a hallmark of Thiago Motta’s Bologna side last season (they tied 14 matches), Juventus cannot afford to settle for mediocrity if they are to compete for the Scudetto.

Lazio, meanwhile, is enjoying a purple patch of form, having secured back-to-back wins in both Serie A and the Europa League. They have surged into the top four in Serie A and currently sit atop their Europa League group. In their most recent league match, Lazio came from behind to defeat Empoli, showing resilience and energy despite the fatigue of European competition. New manager Marco Baroni has quickly earned the respect of Lazio supporters, with his side demonstrating tactical flexibility and a strong mentality.

The last two seasons have seen both Juventus and Lazio win their respective home fixtures against each other, and with both teams facing midweek European matches, this upcoming encounter may be a more measured affair. Neither side will want to overexert themselves ahead of key European ties, and as a result, we may see a less intense, more conservative match, with each team looking to conserve energy for the battles ahead.

Juventus and Their Four Draws: The Need for More Urgency

Juventus's domestic form, particularly their propensity to draw matches, has raised concerns about their ability to keep pace with Serie A’s top contenders. Last season, Juventus drew 14 matches, the same as Udinese, who were criticized for their inconsistency. This season, Udinese has turned over a new leaf, with only one draw to their name so far, while Juventus has retained its "draw specialist" tag. For a club of Juventus’s stature, simply sitting in third place in the league table is unacceptable, especially when expectations are sky-high.

Motta’s arrival was supposed to reinvigorate the squad, but thus far, Juventus has lacked the fire and intensity needed to secure decisive victories in Serie A. While they’ve been dominant in the Champions League, the Bianconeri seem to lack the same urgency in domestic matches, where their methodical approach often leads to dropped points. For Juventus to challenge for the Scudetto, they must find a way to translate their European form into the Italian league, reigniting the passion that has made them Italy’s most successful club over the past decade.

Lazio's Recent Resurgence

Lazio, on the other hand, looks like a team on the rise. Baroni’s tactical acumen and ability to rally his team from difficult positions have impressed both fans and pundits alike. Their comeback win against Empoli showcased the team’s grit and determination, qualities that have propelled them into the upper echelons of the league. With a Europa League campaign to manage as well, Lazio’s squad depth will be tested, but if they continue on their current trajectory, they could establish themselves as serious contenders for a top-four finish.

As both Juventus and Lazio prepare for their next matchups, all eyes will be on how each side manages their European commitments alongside their domestic duties. For Juventus, a more aggressive approach in Serie A could be the key to reigniting their Scudetto hopes, while Lazio will be eager to maintain their momentum as they aim for success on both fronts.