Italian football found a measure of relief in the Europa League after a bruising Champions League midweek, with Milan and Juventus both winning away from home. The contrast was stark: four Italian defeats in four in the senior European competition, followed by two victories that offered different kinds of encouragement.
Milan’s emphatic night in Salzburg
- Milan swept past Salzburg 4-0 in Austria, delivering a performance that was far more commanding than the scoreline alone might suggest. Salzburg were never able to establish themselves, though their unusually poor showing leaves some room for caution in judging the result.
- Ruben Amorim’s side nevertheless deserved considerable credit. Salzburg have been watched closely in previous home fixtures and had not previously been so comprehensively overwhelmed.
- Alphadjo Cisse was the central figure, scoring a hat-trick. The young forward is not regarded as a conventional centre-forward, but showed an instinct for arriving in the right spaces and finishing opportunities.
- There was also a reminder that his development should be handled patiently. Cisse, who will turn 20 in less than a week, was at times too willing to play backwards rather than carry the ball forward and challenge his opponent. A night like this should not turn him into the player expected to solve every Milan problem.
- Gonçalo Ramos added the fourth goal, an important moment for any striker even if it came with the match already settled.
- Francesco Camarda did not score, but his display was still viewed positively. Fikayo Tomori, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Jashari and Hutchinson also provided encouraging signs for Milan.
Juventus find a route through Celta
Juventus had a more difficult task in Vigo against a Celta side that defended with discipline and intensity after taking the lead. For much of the contest, Luciano Spalletti’s team again appeared trapped in a familiar pattern: long spells of circulation, but limited imagination in the final third and few clear chances.
- Celta took the advantage and protected it effectively, remaining aggressive without losing their defensive order.
- The match shifted when Marcos Alonso made a costly error, allowing Woltemade to equalise for Juventus.
- Juventus then found the winner through a more direct approach. Kolo Muani headed in from close range after a cross, repeating the type of finish he had produced against Cagliari.
- Both Juventus goals came from deliveries into the area, underlining the value of getting the ball forward earlier rather than repeatedly moving it from side to side.
The victory revived a tactical question that has followed Juventus through recent matches. Woltemade and Kolo Muani have often been treated as alternatives, but the closing stages against both Cagliari and Celta suggested that the pairing can offer more when used together.
With two recognised forwards on the pitch, Juventus became more immediate, looked for their strikers in the penalty area and scored through each of them. Spalletti may have reason to consider that solution again as the season continues.
