AC Milan vs. Juventus: What to Watch for and Lineups as the Rivalry Renews

Tim FontenaultOct 2, 2011

On Sunday evening, the two most historic clubs in Italian football will take the pitch together.

Juventus will welcome champions of Serie A AC Milan to the new stadium in Turin for the first time as Round 5 in Serie A continues.

With 45 Scudettos and nine European Cups between them, there are very few teams that can put such a combination of trophies on the pitch at one time.

The rivalry between Milan and Juventus has always been a big one. With the historic dominance of the two clubs as well as the regional meaning (Milan and Turin are the two biggest cities in the Lombardy region of Italy), it is always a spectacle.

Heading into this season, it seemed that Milan and Juventus, along with Napoli, would be the contenders for the Scudetto. While it is still early, a win for either side would be a big boost.

Right now, Milan are looking to get back on par with their rivals. Juventus sit on eight points while the Rossoneri have five, just acquiring their first win last weekend against Cesena.

It will be a great match at the Juventus Stadium. Here are a few things to look for and potential starting lineups.

Milan vs. Andrea Pirlo: Will the Milan Legend Even Play?

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In his 10 years at Milan, there were few playmakers who could even come close to Andrea Pirlo.

The Italian maestro switched locker rooms at the San Siro in 2001, moving from Inter to Milan and propelling himself to greatness.

In his time at Milan, the man famous for his influence in the midfield and incredible free kicks achieved Champions League glory twice in three appearances in the Final, won the Scudetto twice, was a Club World Cup champion in 2007 and represented the Italian national team en route to the 2006 World Cup triumph.

In a move that was inevitable at the end of his contract, Pirlo left Milan. It was time to move on to the next chapter of his illustrious career, which brings him to Turin.

Pirlo has a lot of gas left in the tank and will shine for the Bianconeri, but his career will always be marked by what he did in red and black.

There's no doubt a bit of anxiety for Pirlo to play his old club. Both he and his former mates have to be looking forward to it, but now it seems like Pirlo may not even play.

Reports out of Europe suggest that Pirlo has suffered a knee injury. Juventus are capable even without Pirlo, but it will be a much-missed presence and may take away from the meaning of the match, if only a little bit.

Milan Injury Trouble

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AC Milan are in the midst of one of their worst injury crises ever.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic will be available for the club's match on Sunday, but that doesn't make matters much easier for the now 18-time Italian champs.

Despite the potential returns of Ibrahimovic, Kevin-Prince Boateng, and Massimo Ambrosini, three notable injuries of late, the club are still without strikers Alexandre Pato and Robinho, as well as star right back Ignazio Abate, all of whom could easily influence Sunday's match if healthy.

The Rossoneri will need everyone to rise up on Sunday. Gianluca Zambrotta will likely start against his old club, and they may also be looking eventually to Stephan El Shaarawy, the 18-year-old phenom who has already found the net in his short Milan career.

Milan have been able to survive for the most part through injury, but they need to get to full strength fast. Luckily, some key players are back for the Juve clash.

Title Contenders

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Heading into the 2011-12 season, many had Milan, Napoli, and Juventus pegged as the title contenders in Serie A.

It is only the fifth round of Serie A, after which there will be 32 games left to play, but a win by either team would be a statement as to what we can expect in the title race.

Then again, it may still be too early to call. Juventus beat Milan in the first half of 2010-11 in convincing fashion at the San Siro. Now the setting changes, but a win for Juve, who already have three points on the red and black, can go a long way.

With Italy as competitive and close as it is, the league may very well be decided by one or two crucial points.