Federico Gatti struck deep into stoppage time to rescue Juventus from defeat as they fought back to draw 1–1 with AC Milan in a dramatic Serie A encounter at the Allianz Stadium on Sunday.
The result extended both clubs’ unbeaten starts to the league campaign, with Juventus and Milan moving to seven points after three matches. Milan remain ahead of Juventus on goal difference, but the evening belonged to Gatti, whose late header denied the visitors what would have been a hard-earned victory.
The match was closely contested from the opening whistle, although Juventus gradually established the greater attacking threat. Francisco Conceição was particularly dangerous for the hosts, forcing Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan into important saves before striking the post early in the second half.
Milan, meanwhile, struggled to create clear opportunities. Juventus’ defence, led by an impressive Gleison Bremer, restricted the visitors to just three shots throughout the match, with only one finding the target.
Yet despite their limited attacking output, Milan found a way to take the lead.
Cissé breaks the deadlock
With the game approaching the final 20 minutes, Milan substitute Alphadjo Cissé produced the moment of individual quality the match had been waiting for.
Samuel Chukwueze launched a counterattack and found the teenage forward, who controlled the ball before cutting inside and firing a low shot through Pierre Kalulu’s legs and into the far corner.
The goal, scored in the 68th minute, was Milan’s first against Juventus in Serie A since Olivier Giroud’s strike in May 2023. At 19 years and 319 days, Cissé also became the youngest Milan player to score in each of his first two away Serie A appearances in the three-points-per-win era.
For Ruben Amorim’s Milan, the goal appeared to justify a disciplined defensive approach. The Rossoneri had spent long periods protecting their shape and waiting for opportunities to counterattack.
Gatti delivers at the death
Luciano Spalletti turned to his substitutes as Juventus searched desperately for an equaliser, and the decision eventually paid off.
In the 92nd minute, Teun Koopmeiners delivered a dangerous cross from a free kick towards the far post. Gatti rose above the Milan defence and directed a powerful header beyond Maignan.
The defender’s celebration reflected the importance of the moment. Juventus had dominated many of the game’s attacking phases but appeared destined to receive nothing for their efforts. Instead, Gatti’s late intervention secured a point.
The equaliser also highlighted one of the most intriguing features of the match: both goals came from players who had started on the bench. Cissé changed Milan’s fortunes after entering the game, while Gatti provided Juventus with the final attacking spark they needed.
Juventus rue missed chances
While the late equaliser will be celebrated in Turin, Juventus will also wonder how they failed to win.
The hosts recorded 14 shots compared with Milan’s three and had seven corners to the visitors’ one. Conceição’s effort against the post was particularly costly, while Maignan produced several important saves to keep Milan ahead.
Milan can therefore look at the draw with mixed emotions. Their defensive discipline and ability to absorb pressure were impressive, but their inability to create more chances ultimately allowed Juventus back into the contest.
The result also marked the third consecutive Serie A draw between the clubs, and their first meeting to feature goals from both sides since September 2021.
For Milan, the late concession will feel like two points dropped. They were only minutes away from leaving Turin with three victories from three matches.
For Juventus, however, Gatti’s header offered evidence of resilience. They remained unbeaten, recovered from a difficult position and earned a point despite failing to convert their superiority into a winning performance.
In the end, the rivalry produced another tense encounter but this time, unlike several recent goalless meetings, it had a dramatic finale.
Cissé thought he had given Milan the perfect ending.
