AC Milan vs. Juventus: Score, Grades and Reaction from Serie A Game

Juventus threw down an early marker in Serie A with a 1-0 win over AC Milan on Saturday evening.

Juve are bidding to defend their title but were expected to be pushed hard by a Milan side who have made a bright start to the season.

That proved the case, but a moment of brilliance from Carlos Tevez on 67 minutes secured the three points for the Old Lady of Italian football.

Luca Bruno/Associated Press

It was an extremely cagey opening between two sides protecting perfect records, with the middle of the park a battle ground.

It was not until the 27th minute that a chance of note was fashioned. A delightful cross from the left from Sulley Muntari picked out Keisuke Honda, who powered a header on target. The home fans rose to their feet to celebrate a goal, but their hopes were dashed as Gianluigi Buffon stuck out a right palm to make a save.

The chance opened up the game, with the San Siro crowd treated to some end-to-end play.

Buffon’s opposite number in the Milan goal, Christian Abbiati, had to be sharply off his line to smother a shot from Fernando Llorente, who had latched on to a flicked pass from Roberto Pereyra. Abbiati was called into action again on 34 minutes, plunging to his left to repel a curling drive from Pereyra.

Juventus grew in stature as the half wore on and came close to taking the lead on 37 minutes. Claudio Marchisio was allowed to stride forward and almost made Milan pay, as his low drive crashed against the post with Abbiati beaten.

The cagey nature resumed at the start of the second half, and it was not until after the hour mark that the contest opened up again.

With the defences being so strong, it was likely to take a moment of brilliance to make the difference.

On 71 minutes, it arrived. Tevez has been in fine form so far this season and exchanged passes with Paul Pogba before slotting the ball beyond Abbiati. It was a cool finish, but the reverse pass from Pogba was sublime.

"

Tevez & Pogba too good to be playing in Serie A

— The Special John (@bainesyDiego10) September 20, 2014"

Milan threw on Fernando Torres for his Serie A debut, but the home team lacked the legs to match a Juve side who had been in action in the Champions League in midweek.

The win will raise confidence in Turin that they can defend the title. With the talent at Massimiliano Allegri's disposal, Juve are worthy favourites.

They will be fighting it out for the title next spring, but Milan showed enough to suggest they will be in the mix—particularly as they have attacking options to return to fitness.

Grades

Gianluigi Buffon: B+

Age does not appear to be dimming the veteran’s powers just yet, as he made a couple of excellent saves.

Antonio Calanni/Associated Press

Paul Pogba: B+

The superlatives continue to pour in for the Frenchman, who is developing into a complete midfielder. He proved the difference, with a brilliant flicked pass playing a huge part in Tevez's goal.

Jeremy Menez: B+

Quality oozes from the Frenchman, and he was once again a real threat for Milan. He lacked a bit of support at times but never stopped working.

Stephan El Shaarawy: C

He is pressing to regain full fitness and looked a little off the pace. He is also looking to break a lengthy goal drought, and there’s a suspicion that it is affecting his play, as once or twice he was caught in possession. Still a huge talent.

Post-Match Reaction

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Matchwinner @carlitos3210 on #MilanJuve: "It was a good game. We knew it wouldn't be easy because they had won their opening two matches."

— JuventusFC (@juventusfcen) September 20, 2014"