Juventus hemmed 10-man AC Milan 1-0 at the San Siro on Sunday to prevent the hosts from going top of Serie A.
In a closely contested match, Manuel Locatelli’s 62nd-minute goal proved to be the game-changer, elevating the visiting team to the third position in the league standings.
The victory brought them within striking distance, just one point behind Milan and two points behind the league leaders, Inter.
A Challenge from the Start
The match was marked by adversity for the hosts, who were compelled to play with only 10 players for more than 50 minutes.
Malick Thiaw was shown a red card for obstructing Moise Kean’s clear goalscoring opportunity, leaving the home side at a numerical disadvantage.
Injury and Suspension Woes
Both teams grappled with the impact of injuries and suspensions, adding an extra layer of complexity to the encounter.
Milan, for instance, had to field their third-choice goalkeeper, the seasoned 40-year-old Antonio Mirante, as a result of the unavailability of Mike Maignan and Marco Sportiello.
A Deflected Winner Seals the Match
While Mirante remained largely untroubled during the match, the turning point came with Locatelli’s winning strike.
His shot, which took a deflection off defender Rade Krunic, found the back of the net, securing the crucial victory for the visitors.
The match showcased the unpredictable nature of football, where a single moment can make all the difference in the final outcome.