No goal and an average show: here is the balance sheet of the match disputed on Friday June 12 between Juventus and AC Milan for the semi-final return of the Italian Cup. This match mainly meant the return of football to the country after more than three months of stopping competitions. 

The Old Lady and the Rossoneri did no better than 0-0 in Turin. Sufficient score for Juventus to go to the national cup final (1-1 in the first leg).

There is little to say about the match. The main part took place between the 15th and the 17th minute. Juventus got a missed penalty by Cristiano Ronaldo, the author of a very average match. But in the next minute, Rebic was sent off for a kung fu move on Danilo and, at 10-11, Milan was never able to score the goal that would have helped him turn the situation around.

The Old Lady will play its final in Rome on Wednesday, either against Naples or against Inter Milan, who face off Saturday at the San Paolo stadium (1-0 victory for the Neapolitans in the first leg).

Minute of silence for the victims of Covid-19

By August 2 and the scheduled end of the championship, there will now be games every day or so, and probably more madness on the field. But calcio has resumed its course in a country that has more than 34,000 dead due to the Covid-19. 

This return seemed a long time impossible, especially in April, when each day ended with the toll of the Civil Protection, always heavier, up to more than 900 dead per day. But the health situation has improved and after Germany and Spain, Italy was therefore the third major European country to return to football.

Before the match, disputed behind closed doors, the players and staff members observed a minute of silence in memory of the victims of the pandemic. They then applauded at length three representatives of the nursing staff present in the center of the field.

On the AC Milan jersey, a badge was affixed, dedicated to the doctors, nurses, paramedics and volunteers who fought against the virus. On this badge appeared a rainbow and the phrase "andra tutto bene" (all will be well, note), two of the symbols of Italy of containment.

"The 12th man is missing"

Outside, a handful of tifosi had come in the late afternoon around the stadium to taste the strange atmosphere of this football returned without making room for them, the supporters.

"I don't like the fans having to stay outside. Now that football is resuming, I hope that the Tifosi will be able to return. Even only 20 or 30% of the capacity, it would have been good", regretted Michele Di Miccoli , a 68-year-old retiree interviewed before the match.

But Carmine Tiani, also 68, said he was "happy that it resumed". "It's a little sad without the tifosi. The 12th man is missing. But we had to start again, in one way or another. We have to finish the championship, find out who goes to Europe, who goes to Serie B" , he explained.

With AFP

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