Juventus vs AC Milan preview: Yildiz blow, Leao doubt
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Juventus host AC Milan in a Serie A Matchday 3 clash on Sunday evening, with both clubs protecting perfect records after two wins from two. Luciano Spalletti's side are grappling with a substantial injury list, while Ruben Amorim's Rossoneri travel with a clean bill of health but a major doubt over their star forward.
Team News and Injury Latest
Juventus will be without several key names. Winger Kenan Yıldız is facing two to three months out after undergoing surgery on a fractured metatarsal, an absence that Spalletti admitted has "hurt" the team. Full-back Andrea Cambiaso is also ruled out after sustaining a knock during the 2-0 win over Parma, while Weston McKennie (muscle fatigue), Edon Zhegrova, and Khéphren Thuram (knee) are all unavailable. Thuram could require surgery, leaving the midfield further depleted. Defender Federico Gatti has returned to training and is in contention, while new signing Jhon Lucumí is pushing for a start alongside Bremer after impressing in the opening fixtures.
Spalletti used a 4-2-3-1 shape against Parma and is likely to stick with a similar setup. Guglielmo Vicario starts in goal, with Pierre Kalulu and Zeki Çelik on the defensive flanks. Manuel Locatelli and Douglas Luiz anchor the midfield, while Francisco Conceição, Jonathan David, and Jérémie Boga support Randal Kolo Muani in attack. The coach has publicly challenged Kolo Muani to show "more grit" and "more blood in the veins" during decisive moments.
AC Milan, by contrast, have no fresh injury concerns. Amorim confirmed a fully fit squad after the 2-1 win over Venezia, with Mario Gila recovering from cramp. The biggest storyline surrounds Rafael Leão, who has returned to full training but is on the verge of a transfer away from the club, making him unlikely to feature. Amorim is expected to name the same 3-4-3 that beat Venezia: Mike Maignan in goal behind a back three of Gila, Koni De Winter, and Strahinja Pavlovic. Samuel Chukwueze and Pervis Estupiñán operate as wing-backs, while Adrien Rabiot, Luka Modric, Christian Pulisic, and Diego Moreira supply the attacking thrust.
Juventus Form Guide
Juve's 2-0 victory over Parma last time out was built on second-half goals from substitutes Nico González and Teun Koopmeiners. The performance lacked attacking fluency before the changes, but Spalletti praised the tactical discipline. They opened the campaign with a 2-0 win at Frosinone, meaning they are yet to concede a goal in Serie A this season. The defensive organisation has been a hallmark, though the creative burden now falls heavily on Douglas Luiz and Conceição in Yıldız's absence.
AC Milan Form Guide
Milan have also taken maximum points, defeating Torino 4-2 on the opening day before a 2-1 home success against Venezia. Amorim's intense, vertical style has produced nine goals in two league matches, albeit with seven conceded. The front three of Pulisic, Moreira, and whichever striker leads the line (likely Lorenzo Berardi or a false nine) have looked sharp, while Rabiot and Modric bring composure in midfield. The Rossoneri's defensive record will be tested against a Juve side that has been clinical if not always free-flowing.
Key Battle: Kolo Muani vs Milan's Back Three
Spalletti's pointed remarks about Kolo Muani's need for greater aggression place the French forward under the spotlight. The former Paris Saint-Germain man has delivered flashes of quality but has struggled to impose himself consistently. He will face a Milan defence that, while aggressive, can leave spaces behind the wing-backs. How Kolo Muani handles the physicality of Pavlovic and De Winter, and whether he can link effectively with David and Boga, could determine whether Juve break down Amorim's high line. If Kolo Muani demands the ball and drives at the heart of the back three, he may expose the gaps that have appeared in Milan's early-season outings.
Both teams will view this as an early benchmark in the Scudetto race. Juventus next travel to Sassuolo before beginning their Europa League campaign at home to NEC Nijmegen, while Milan will look to carry their momentum into a home fixture against Cagliari. A statement win for either side would send a significant signal to the rest of Serie A.

