Juventus End Winless Run with Comfortable 2-0 Win Over AC Milan

Juventus secured their first win of 2025, defeating AC Milan 2-0 in Serie A to end a three-match winless run and move up to fourth place in the standings.

Juventus secured their first win of 2025 with an impressive 2-0 victory over AC Milan in an action-packed Serie A match. Both teams, eager to revitalize their underwhelming league campaigns, started strongly, with Samuel Mbangula's early curling effort narrowly missing the target.

The opening quarter-hour saw a flurry of threatening attempts from both sides. Pierre Kalulu's strong block denied Rafael Leao's strike, while Teun Koopmeiners fired off target at the other end. AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan was called into action, rushing out to intercept Emerson Royal's lax pass and prevent a potential Juventus scoring opportunity.

As the half progressed, both teams continued to create chances. Tijjani Reijnders' instinctive shot from a clever corner routine was deflected wide, and the teams then had a big opportunity apiece in quick succession. Leao's shot was saved, and Federico Gatti blocked Theo Hernandez's follow-up effort. Nico Gonzalez led a swift counterattack but was eventually halted by Fikayo Tomori.

The first half ended goalless despite a total of 13 attempts between the two teams. Kenan Yıldız was denied by Maignan, who palmed away his side-footed shot. Pierre Kalulu then headed over from the ensuing corner, and Khephren Thuram and Gonzalez also failed to hit the target. Hernandez was denied by Gatti once again, as the teams went into the break with the score still level.

Samuel Mbangula is the Panini Player of the Match for #JuveMilan 🏆 pic.twitter.com/0EZ5zSiKNx

— Lega Serie A (@SerieA_EN) January 18, 2025

The search for the opening goal continued after the restart, with substitute Timothy Weah testing AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan with a shot that was saved. Maignan stood strong again to deny Teun Koopmeiners, maintaining the deadlock.

The breakthrough finally arrived just before the hour mark, courtesy of a fortunate deflection. Samuel Mbangula's first-time shot took a deflection off Emerson and looped over Maignan, who could only tip the ball in off the crossbar. Juventus didn't waste time in doubling their lead, scoring just five minutes later. Timothy Weah, released by Khephren Thuram, got the better of Fikayo Tomori and finished clinically to seal the win.

AC Milan sought a way back into the game, but Theo Hernandez's free-kick sailed harmlessly wide. Juventus held on to secure a 2-0 victory, ending their run of three consecutive Serie A draws. The win maintained their unbeaten league run this season and propelled them to fourth place, at least temporarily, overtaking Lazio. Additionally, Juventus inflicted AC Milan's first defeat in nine matches across all competitions and their first under new manager Sergio Conceicao, leaving I Rossoneri eighth in the standings.