Title-chasing Juventus held to seventh draw of season following AC Milan stalemate

AC Milan were cut further adrift of the Serie A top four as their slow start to the season continued with a goalless draw against Juventus at The Stadio Giuseppe Meazza.

Paulo Fonseca’s side now sit nine points off rivals Inter at the top of the table, albeit with a game in hand, whereas Juventus remain unbeaten in the Serie A, level on points with third-placed Atalanta.

Neither team created any major chances as both defences came out on top in a tight affair.

Despite being away from home in a difficult atmosphere, Juventus had most of the possession and kept Milan at arm’s length throughout.

The best chances of the game both fell to the lively Francisco Conceicao, but the Portuguese winger could not convert either.

Malick Thiaw made a crucial block from Conceicao in the second half, stopping what looked like a certain goal.

Juventus clearly missed their star striker Dusan Vlahovic who picked up an injury on international duty, but manager Thiago Motta will be pleased with the point as his side kept their fifth clean sheet in six league away games.

Motta will certainly be the happier of the two managers after the stalemate at the San Siro. Juventus now remain unbeaten in the league this season and have only conceded in one of their six away games this campaign.

Juventus now sit just three points behind leaders Inter and level with third and fourth placed Atalanta and Fiorentina – who are yet to play this weekend.

On the other hand, a draw for Milan only piles more pressure on Fonseca, with the Rossoneri now nine points behind rivals Inter who lead the way.

With a tight title race and top four battle expected, Milan can’t afford to keep dropping points as they move further adrift from rivals.

The Milan defender was an absolute rock at the back, as he kept Juventus’ attack quiet throughout, despite them seeing more of the ball.

Thiaw produced an excellent block to deny Conceicao in the second half, sliding brilliantly across the box as the Portuguese winger pulled the trigger.

It was important Milan defended well after conceding three goals away to Cagliari before the break and Thiaw was a huge part of that defensive effort against Juventus.

AC Milan: Maignan 7, Royal 6, Gabbia 7, Thiaw 9, Hernandez 6, Fofana 5, Reijnders 5, Musah 4, Loftus-Cheek 3, Leao 4, Morata 3. Subs: Pulisic 5, Chukwueze N/A, Calabria N/A, Pavlovic N/A.

Juventus: Di Gregorio 6, Savona 6, Gatti 7, Kalulu 7, Cambiaso 6, Locatelli 6, Thuram 6, Conceicao 7, Koopmeiners 5, Yildiz 6, McKennie 3. Subs: Weah 4, Fagioli 3, Mbangula N/A, Savona N/A.

8’ EARLY JUVENTUS CHANCE! Francisco Conceicao should have done better there! Yildiz picked the winger out in the box, but he can’t get a good connection on his strike.

15’ JUVENTUS CHANCE! Yildiz almosts opens the scoring for Juventus! The young winger picks the ball up in Milan’s half and cuts inside before letting fire at goal, but his shot hits the side netting.

59’ GREAT BLOCK BY THIAW! Conceicao thought he had opened the scoring for the visitors, but Malick Thiaw produced a brilliant block to deny the winger.

90+5′ MILAN CHANCE! Theo Hernandez goes close with a header in the box, but Di Gregorio is equal to it.