27 May 2023
Among the Bianconeri's perfect days against Milan, that of 5 November 1978 holds a special place. The Rossoneri won the Scudetto that season, the tenth in their history, but in the encounter at the Comunale, it was the Old Lady that prevailed.
TRAP'S STARTERS
The match was played on a Sunday afternoon, kicking off at 14.30. Against a Milan led by the Swedish coach Nils Liedholm, his Juve counterpart Giovanni Trapattoni set up his side with the following eleven: Zoff, Cuccureddu, Cabrini, Furino, Gentile, Scirea, Causio, Tardelli, Virdis, Benetti, Bettega.
The photo above shows Franco Causio on the charge, with Emmanuel De Vecchi and national teammate Aldo Maldera looking to stop him.
FEROCIOUS START
Juve were pumped up from the start: just a few seconds after kick-off, Marco Tardelli was booked for a foul on Gianni Rivera, perhaps the fastest yellow card in history.
And just two minutes later, the Bianconeri were already in front: Causio's short corner kick found Tardelli, who crossed in a perfect ball for Romeo Benetti to flick on to the incoming Roberto Bettega to apply the finish.
ON THE FRONT FOOT
Juve continued to threaten in attack after the interval. One of the first opportunities of the half fell to Gaetano Scirea, who charged goalwards but was intercepted by goalkeeper Enrico Albertosi, who came off his line to prevent the marauding defender from getting his shot away.
Scirea had another chance soon after, but again Albertosi came up trumps with a fine save to deny a stinging left-foot strike that would have doubled the host's advantage. However, the solitary goal was enough to secure victory.
ARGENTINA'S JUVE
"Juventus played with a lot of pride and determination today, they were decisive and didn't let us play our usual game," Milan coach Nils Liedholm said after the game. "First of all, they took the early lead, and then played with the characteristics that helped them win the league the year before, relying on the nine players from the national team that had taken part in the World Cup in Argentina the previous summer."
