AC Milan vs Juventus: History of the Italian Rivalry
Milan vs Juventus isn't a local derby: the cities are around 140km apart. It isn't always a title decider either. But for long stretches of Italian football history, these two have been the clubs to beat, and their meetings have decided Scudetti and a Champions League final. Here's the story, with the context behind the matches we picked.
Two different clubs
AC Milan, founded in 1899 with English involvement, became Italy's most successful club in Europe, with seven European Cups. Juventus, founded in Turin in 1897 and run by the Agnelli family since 1923, became Italy's most successful domestic club. Milan's bigger city rival is Inter; Juve's local derby is with Torino. Milan vs Juventus is a rivalry of giants rather than neighbours. Read more in our history of AC Milan and history of Juventus.
How the rivalry developed
- 1950s: both clubs won several titles, Milan with the Swedish 'Gre-No-Li' trio and Juventus with John Charles and Omar Sívori.
- Late 1970s and 1980s: Juventus dominated under Trapattoni with Platini, while Berlusconi and Sacchi built Milan into a European power.
- 1990s: Capello's Milan and Lippi's Juventus traded Serie A titles and both reached multiple Champions League finals.
- 2000s: they met in the 2003 Champions League final; Calciopoli in 2006 hit both clubs, with Juventus relegated.
- 2010s: Milan won Serie A in 2011, then Juventus started a run of nine titles in a row.
Matches and moments that mattered
28 May 2003: Juventus 0-0 AC Milan, Milan win on penalties (Champions League final)
It was the first all-Italian Champions League final, played at Old Trafford. It was a tight, cagey game, and critics called it dull, but the stakes were enormous. Milan won the shoot-out 3-2, with Andriy Shevchenko scoring the winning penalty. Dida made key saves for Milan, and Gianluigi Buffon was in the Juventus goal. It was Carlo Ancelotti's first European Cup as a coach.
The 2011–12 title race and the "ghost goal"
In February 2012 the sides drew 1-1 at the San Siro, with first and second at stake. Milan's Sulley Muntari had a header that appeared to cross the line but wasn't given. It became a symbol of the debate over goal-line technology in Italy. Juventus, under Antonio Conte, went the whole league season unbeaten and won the title, the first of their nine in a row.
Coppa Italia final 2018: Juventus 4-0 AC Milan
Juventus won the cup final in Rome comfortably. It was part of a domestic double during Allegri's era, and it underlined how far Milan had fallen behind at that point.
Tactics and eras
Their meetings often reflected wider changes in Italian football. There was the catenaccio-influenced defending of earlier decades, then Sacchi's high pressing and zonal marking at Milan, then Lippi's and Capello's powerful, balanced teams. In the 2010s Conte's back three and Allegri's pragmatism took over. Defenders like Baresi, Maldini, Nesta, Cannavaro, Chiellini and Bonucci are why Serie A built its reputation for defending.
Players who crossed the divide
Several stars played for both clubs, which always adds spice. They include Andrea Pirlo (Milan to Juventus in 2011), Filippo Inzaghi (Juventus to Milan in 2001), Leonardo Bonucci (who moved to Milan in 2017, then back to Juventus a year later) and Zlatan Ibrahimović (who played for both, at different times). Pirlo won the Champions League with Milan and then four Serie A titles in a row with Juve.
Stadiums and supporters
Milan play at the San Siro, which they share with Inter, a giant, steep bowl with spiral towers. Juventus play at the Allianz Stadium, opened in 2011, which is compact and loud. Both have dedicated ultras groups and impressive choreography on big nights, which you'll appreciate even if you just want a beer and a good view.
A balanced timeline
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 1897 | Juventus founded in Turin |
| 1899 | AC Milan founded |
| 1963 | Milan become the first Italian European Cup winners |
| 1985 | Juventus win their first European Cup |
| 1989–1990 | Milan win back-to-back European Cups |
| 1996 | Juventus win the Champions League |
| 2003 | Milan beat Juventus on penalties in the Champions League final |
| 2006 | Calciopoli; Juventus relegated to Serie B |
| 2012 | Muntari 'ghost goal'; Juventus win the title unbeaten |
| 2012–2020 | Juventus win nine Serie A titles in a row |
| 2022 | Milan win their 19th Serie A title |
Watch it in Italy
Milan and Turin are both great for a football weekend: aperitivo, pasta and a big match. See our AC Milan and Juventus trips pages or European getaways. Fixtures are set by Serie A, tickets depend on availability, everything is confirmed in your written quote, and we don't arrange flights.
Frequently asked questions
Is Milan vs Juventus a derby?
Not a local derby — the cities are different — but it's one of Italy's biggest rivalries between two of its most successful clubs.
Who won the 2003 Champions League final?
AC Milan beat Juventus 3-2 on penalties after a 0-0 draw at Old Trafford.
What was the Muntari ghost goal?
In February 2012 a Sulley Muntari header for Milan against Juventus appeared to cross the line but wasn't given; the match finished 1-1.
Who has won more Serie A titles?
Juventus have won more Serie A titles than any other club; Milan have 19.
Sources and further reading
Fancy seeing it live? Tickets and packages are subject to availability and confirmation in your written quote. We don't arrange flights.