Chiesa battles Leao in Juve-Milan – the winger on a mission to convince Ibra

The match between Juventus and AC Milan tonight will involve two players who are capable of winning games on their own at times: Federico Chiesa and Rafael Leao. However, both are going through a not exactly brilliant moment.

La Gazzetta dello Sport speak about a recent drop in the levels of both players, as if the switch had suddenly gone off. However, the nobility of this evening’s match at the Allianz Stadium – although it offers nothing more than second place and honour – may be able to reawaken their talent.

Milan is the team against which Chiesa has been involved in the most goals in Serie A: six, three goals and three assists, the same as against Bologna, Udinese and Sassuolo. However, the statistics also say that in his last four matches against the Rossoneri in the championship he was not involved in any goals.

The last time he celebrated against the Devil was in the 2020-21 season with Andrea Pirlo on the bench, when he scored a double at San Siro. It was his most prolific year in terms of scoring, ending with 15 goals, eight of which were in Serie A (seven with Juventus and one with Fiorentina).

Now he has eight (seven in the league) but five came in 2023. Since the beginning of 2024, Chiesa has found the net twice (three times also counting the Coppa Italia) and his last goal in Serie A dates back to more than a month and a half ago.

Players with the means of Chiesa (as well as Leao) are asked to be decisive in the games that matter the most. Federico has scored above all in the small teams (Lazio and Napoli aside) and in the last period his performance has been alternating current.

Something more will be needed in this season finale to convince the Italian coach Luciano Spalletti in view of the European Championship. Max Allegri, barring any surprises, will pair Chiesa with Dusan Vlahovic, then Kenan Yildiz will be a weapon off the bench.