Until about a decade ago, it was unimaginable in Italy for Juventus and Milan to be out of the title race halfway through the Serie A season. Both giants are in crisis. The Old Lady, under Thiago Motta, struggles to string together victories and has become the queen of draws. Meanwhile, the Rossoneri have revived under the leadership of Sérgio Conceição, following Paulo Fonseca’s departure. They won the Italian Super Cup in Riyadh but remain far from Scudetto contention.🚨 Aston Villa and Tottenham are considering a move for Fikayo Tomori, but Juventus are also keen on the defender making the switch from AC Milan.(Source: @TBRFootball) pic.twitter.com/bPYc3wgJ23— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) January 18, 2025 Who would have thought that a clash between these two global football giants today would be in the background? While this remains a traditional derby between clubs with the most trophies and fans in Italy, the spotlight in Matchday 21 is on Bergamo tonight, where Atalanta faces Napoli in a match that could heavily influence the title race. This season features a three-horse race for the Scudetto. Napoli leads the standings, closely followed by Inter, three points behind with a game in hand. Meanwhile, Atalanta shows signs of struggle with three consecutive draws. Gian Piero Gasperini’s team has an opportunity tonight at home to close the gap to just one point against their southern Italian visitors.Walker cuts his wage to go to MilanThe Juventus-Milan match is a battle for the coveted “fourth spot” and Champions League qualification. This position is also being targeted by Lazio, Fiorentina, and possibly Roma, though Bologna, last season’s surprise package in Serie A, seems unlikely to contend. Dusan Vlahovic has recovered from a muscle injury and resumed training but isn’t yet at full fitness. Argentine Nico González is expected to start as a false nine again. The Rossoneri, on the other hand, are actively searching for a striker this January, with João Félix and Marcus Rashford among their targets. Experienced right-back Kyle Walker of Manchester City is also expected to strengthen Milan.Old Lady embraces the young expelled SaintJuventus is pursuing Frenchman Randal Kolo Muani, who has struggled at Paris Saint-Germain, in stark contrast to his stellar form at Eintracht Frankfurt. Andrea Cambiaso, an Italian international rumored to be a target for Manchester City, will feature for the hosts. Missing for Juventus in this derby are Mattia Perin, Francisco Conceição, Arkadiusz Milik, Bremer, and Juan Cuadrado. Milan has traveled to Turin without Álvaro Morata, suspended due to yellow card accumulation. Tammy Abraham will replace him in attack. Injuries keep Alessandro Florenzi, Malick Thiaw, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Ivan Perišić, and Noah Okafor sidelined. Conceição had a stellar debut as Milan’s manager, defeating Juventus in the Italian Super Cup semifinals in Riyadh earlier this year.SERIE A – MATCHDAY 21FridayRoma – Genoa 3-1 (1-1)/Dovbyk 25, El Shaarawy 60, Leali 73 og – Masini 33/Saturday17.00: (1.60) Bologna (3.70) Monza (6.25)20.00: (2.30) Juventus (3.40) Milan (3.35)22.45: (2.35) Atalanta (3.40) Napoli (3.25)Sunday14.30: (1.75) Fiorentina (3.60) Torino (5.60)17.00: (2.00) Cagliari (3.50) Lecce (4.10)17.00: (2.15) Parma (3.45) Venezia (3.35)20.00: (4.90) Verona (3.50) Lazio (1.77)22.45: (1.23) Inter (6.75) Empoli (15.0)Monday22.45: (2.20) Como (3.45) Udinese (3.60)**odds are subject to change**
