Christin Pulisic was a key figure in all three AC Milan goals in an important win over Cagliari, while Weston McKennie was a solid presence for Juventus as they scored a narrow road win over Lecce.
Cagliari 1 – 3 AC Milan
Christian Pulisic was the ultimate set-up man on Wednesday evening, triggering all three of AC Milan’s goals in their important road win over Cagliari, with Yunus Musah also impressing in an extended substitute appearance.
Even though it was his fourth straight league game without scoring a goal, there will be few complaints about the USMNT star’s performance after his aggressive play on the right was a deciding factor in the team’s strong performance.
Statistically speaking, he had 45 touches in his 69 minutes of play, completed 26 of his 31 passes, won all three of his attempted dribbles and all eight of his duels, drew four fouls leading to a pair of yellow cards being shown to the opposition, had one direct assist, although did not take any shots on goal himself.
Musah also got in on the action, playing just over a half-hour in the midfield, completing all 21 of his passes, forcing a save with a free kick attempt and drawing a pair of fouls.
Cagliari winger Zito Luvumbo put the hosts on the board first just before the half-hour, first fighting to maintain possession on the right edge of Milan’s 18-yard box, then playing a quick one-two with Nahitan Nández before rocketing a shot that rattled the underside of the net for the 1-0 lead.
Pulisic had a not-quite-assist on the Rossoneri’s opener in the 40th minute, fighting to the endline to the left of goal before attempting to cut a short cross back to the center of the six-yard box. Cagliari keeper Boris Radunovic was only able to push it into the path of Noah Okafor, who took one touch to shift the ball to his left foot before placing his shot in the near corner for the equalizer.
Just before the half, Pulisic received a short corner from Yacine Adli on the right side, and sent a low cross into the six-yard box. In a repeat performance, Radunovic could only slightly deflect the ball, this time into the path of Fikayo Tomori for an easy, short-range finish.
Two minutes before the hour, Musah entered the field in place of Tijani Reijnders, and the team wasted no time in putting the game on ice with their third goal moments later.
Pulisic ran onto a long ball on the left flank, and after a short cut move, tried to sent yet another cross goalward. His attempt was blocked, however the ball landed directly back at his feet. Instead of having another go, he picked out Ruben Loftus-Cheek in open space at 27 yards out, and the England international struck a low, bouncing shot to the left corner for the final 3-1 score.
Following Inter’s shock home defeat to Sassuolo, Milan are tied on points atop the standings with their city rivals, but trail by way of head-to-head record and goal differential. They are back on the field on Saturday with a home game against struggling Lazio.
Juventus 1 – 0 Lecce
Juventus got back on track Tuesday evening, with Weston McKennie solidifying his spot in the Bianconeri starting lineup in the team’s narrow home win over Lecce.
For the third straight league game, the Texan earned the starting nod on the right side for Massimiliano Allegri, putting in a solid 86-minute shift before making way for USMNT teammate Tim Weah.
McKennie had 65 touches during his time on the field, completed just shy of 90% of his 36 passes, set up one close call early in the game, and saw his one shot be the ultimate trigger for the winning goal.
During his short mop-up outing, Weah helped hold the lead, completing all three of his passes, making one clearance and winning his only duel.
In the 21st minute, McKennie did his best Rory Delap impersonation, launching a towering throw-in from the right side toward the edge of the six-yard box. Adrien Rabiot was able to head it towards goal, however his attempt was without power, giving Lecce keeper Wladimiro Falcone an easy grab.
In the 57th minute, McKennie’s glancing header from a corner by Federico Chiesa was blocked amidst the crowd however Juve managed to maintain possession. Several passes later, the American chipped a cross from the right side of the area to the opposite post, where Rabiot headed it back to the right post for a short finish by Arkadiusz Milik for the winner.
Juventus finish the round in third place, two points behind co-leaders Inter and AC Milan, with a difficult visit to neighboring city Bergamo on Sunday to take on the mighty juggernaut that is Atalanta.
Notes
Gianluca Busio and Tanner Tessmann both started in Venezia’s midfield on Tuesday evening, but could not prevent the team from having a rough outing in their 3-1 home loss to Palermo. Busio played 68 minutes alongside his American teammate in the midfield, drawing a yellow card while taking one shot. Tessmann played the full game, taking one shot and setting up four chances. Recently capped USMNT defender Kris Lund had a better day for the visitors, earning his first start at left back since joining the team, and drawing the penalty on their opening goal.
Andrija Novakovich went the distance for Lecco on Tuesday in their 2-1 home loss to Feralpisalò. The American striker struggled to make an influence, having just 34 touches and taking just one shot between the whistles. Lecco are bottom of the standings with just one point from four games.
