Milan 1-2 Juventus

83″ Martin Caceres
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The first meaningful chance fell to El Shaarawy inside the opening twenty minutes. The former Genoa frontman collected Bonera’s searching forward pass, took the ball inside Barzagli but fired his shot wide from a tight angle.

Juventus then stepped up a gear and fashioned several opportunities of their own. Estigarribia saw his fierce left-footed effort  blocked before Giaccherini, who looked bright and dynamic throughout the entire first period, drew a fine save from Amelia.

Conte’s men began the second half with a renewed sharpness and took just seven minutes to reap their rewards. Padoin drove forward from deep but saw his run brought to a halt. Borriello picked up the pieces and dispatched a low left-footed strike which was parried by Amelia, with Caceres on hand to sweep the ball home and send the visiting supporters into ecstacy.

Yet there was still plenty of life in this fascinating showdown. The Rossoneri mustered an instant fightback and Juventus had Storari to thank as he sprawled to his right to claw Ibrahimovic’s dipping free-kick away to safety.

The pendulum then swung back in Juve’s favour as Del Piero was given time and space to drive at the heart of the Milan rearguard. The striker struck a right-footed shot which whistled just past the post.

But the hosts went back on the break and made no mistake with their next opportunity. Antonini clipped in a cross from the left-hand side which Ambrosini directed into the path of El Shaarawy. The young striker was left with a simple tap-in to set up a tantalising finale.

Ibrahimovic sent Bianconeri hearts racing when he calmly slotted past Storari minutes later, but Mazzoleni had spotted a handball and awarded a free-kick to the visitors.

With the game delicately poised, Conte’s men grew in stature and put their bodies on the line to resist heavy Milan pressure. And after substitute Vucinic spurned a couple of half-chances, the winner finally arrived courtesy of a moment of individual brilliance.

As the clock ticked down towards the final five minutes, Giaccherini was set free down the left by Vucinic. The winger’s cross was headed clear by Ambrosini but only as far as Caceres who curled a delicious effort past Amelia into the top corner.

Despite Milan launching a late assault on the Juventus penalty area, the Bianconeri refused to be overcome and stood firm to record a memorable success.

MILAN 1-2 JUVENTUS

GOALS:  Caceres 53, El Shaarawy 61, Caceres 83

MILAN

Amelia; Bonera, Mexes, Thiago Silva, Antonini; Emanuelson (Robinho 61), Van Bommel (Maxi Lopez 85), Ambrosini; Seedorf; Ibrahimovic, El Shaarawy.
Substitutes not used: Roma, Zambrotta, Mesbah, Cristante, Inzaghi.
Manager: Allegri.

JUVENTUS

Storari; Barzagli Bonucci, Chiellini; Caceres, Padoin (Marrone 69), Pirlo, Giaccherini, Estigarribia; Del Piero (Quagliarella 67), Borriello (Vucinic 67).
Substitutes not used: Manninger, Lichtsteiner, Marchisio, Elia.
Manager: Conte.

REFEREE: Mazzoleni

ASSISTANTS: Manganelli, Padovan

FOURTH OFFICIAL: Russo

BOOKED: Ambrosini 43, Mexes 47, Quagliarella 73

Paolo Silvio Mazzoleni has been confirmed as the referee for Wednesday night’s Coppa Italia semi-final first leg fixture between Milan and Juventus.

The official has presided over seven Juventus league fixtures but has never refereed a Bianconeri cup encounter. Juve have won three, drawn three and lost once under his charge.

Mazzoleni will be assisted by Manganelli and Padovan. Russo has been named as the fourth official.

The other Coppa Italia semi-final between Siena and Napoli will be overseen by De Marco

Martin Caceres usually enjoys his debuts. In his first game wearing Juventus shirt, occurred on 12 September 2009 at the ‘Olimpico’ against Lazio, he scored a goal which broke the deadlock and allowed Juventus to win 2-0. This evening he did more: he first opened the scoring with a simple tap in and then, following Milan equalizer, he showed his brilliance when placing the ball in the goal corner just below the bar. He scored a double, like an excellent striker. But Martin is a defender, or if required a winger, he perpetually runs and stops his opponents. This evening he decided to knock them down and he obviously was the picture of happiness: “I’m very happy with my performance, but also for the whole team because we’ve clinched an important victory” commented the Uruguayan at the end of a match which saw him well integrated. “Juventus show good football and I feel fine with Conte’s way of playing”, pointed out Martin who keeps his feet on the ground, despite this favourable evening and the second season win of the Bianconeri over Milan: “We’ll address one game at a time, and if we manage to achieve an important success, it would be even better.” It seems that Martin immediately understood all play mechanisms, but especially Conte’s law: keeping a low profile and working hard.