Christian Pulisic’s Performance Against Juventus
Christian Pulisic’s standout performance for AC Milan hit a snag during their latest Serie A clash against Juventus on Sunday. The American forward, who has been instrumental this season with six goals and two assists, faced a pivotal moment when he missed a penalty kick that could have clinched the game for his team. This misstep contributed to Milan’s 0-0 stalemate against Juventus, snapping their impressive five-match winning run.
Coach’s Praise and Pulisic’s Record
Milan’s coach Massimiliano Allegri, despite the miss, praised Pulisic’s overall contribution to the match.
“Pulisic had an extraordinary game, and he is the designated penalty taker,”
Allegri remarked, reinforcing the trust he places in the player. This penalty miss marks only the second time in Pulisic’s career that he has failed to score from the spot, bringing his overall record to 13 successful conversions against two misses across all competitions.
Impact on Serie A Standings
As a result of the draw, AC Milan slipped from the top of the Serie A standings, now sitting in third place, two points behind both Napoli and Roma, who each secured victories in their respective matches. Napoli overcame a one-goal deficit to defeat Genoa 2-1, while Roma achieved a similar triumph against a struggling Fiorentina.
Juventus’ Performance and Allegri’s Return
Elsewhere, Juventus, who found themselves one point behind Milan in fifth place after the game, had opportunities squandered by Weston McKennie, Pulisic’s teammate in the U.S. national team. The match was significant for Allegri, returning to Juventus after a previous stint where he led the team to five league titles before being released amid controversy following a heated exchange with officials during the 2024 Italian Cup final. Juventus supporters showed their appreciation for Allegri’s contributions with a banner reading,
“We’ll always be proud of you, thanks for everything Max Allegri.”
Match Highlights
The encounter saw few clear chances. Milan nearly clinched the points in the closing minutes through a play initiated by Luka Modric, but Rafael Leão’s attempt was thwarted by Juventus goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio. Earlier in the match, Leão had attempted a long-range shot when he noticed Di Gregorio away from his position, but that effort went astray as well.
