SERIE A
Pulisic & Musah vs Weah & McKennie: an American duel in Italy’s Serie A
AC Milan and Juventus meet on Sunday in a rather special encounter for those who keep an eye on the United States national team.
The Italian Serie A is gearing up for a high-stakes showdown as AC Milan and Juventus prepare to face off for the first time this season in a match that will determine the new league leader. However, the USMNT will be closely watching, not for the table standings, but for the exciting clash between four heavyweight players at San Siro. Christian Pulisic and Yunus Musah will defend their turf against Timothy Weah and Weston McKennie, a match that will captivate the United States.
A Resurgent Milan
As if taken from a movie script, Pioli’s squad has successfully navigated through adversity and surprisingly topped the league table. The departure of Sandro Tonali, now facing allegations of illegal betting, has been mitigated in the best possible way in the transfer market. The Rossoneri made significant additions, with particular stardust coming from Pulisic and Musah.
‘Captain America’, as he’s known in certain parts, arrived in the fashion capital on a reincarnation mission, a ‘broken toy’ needing to be mended. Pioli was clear with the winger from the outset, letting him know he would carry significant weight within his lineup. Less than three months after his arrival, Pulisic has captured the hearts of the Rossoneri fans with his forward-thinking play and goal-scoring instinct, having already directly or indirectly contributed to five goals in the ten matches he has played with the team. Pulisic is a different player in Milan, and Berhalter has skillfully harnessed the potential of his ‘new’ asset.
On the other hand, Musah arrived in Milan as a future promise. Signed from Valencia for 20 million last summer, the expectations surrounding the player were high, but Pioli was determined to ease him into the team gently. However, Musah’s precocity has quickly made him a significant presence. The Italian coach utilized the versatility of the former Valencia player, deploying him on the right flank or in the midfield, depending on the match. His solid defensive skills have already earned praise from the press.
Juventus, the great surprise
After a challenging year that saw them miss out on the Champions League, Juventus have managed to bounce back. Considered the dominant force in Italian football over much of the past decade, they have faced a difficult reality due to the corruption scandal in their former leadership. Alongside the established Weston McKennie, who is now one of their key players, an excellent addition in Tim Weah last summer aims to help bring this historic club back to the elite ranks of European football.
McKennie didn’t begin his tenure at Juventus in the best possible way. Failing to meet expectations in his initial seasons, following a loan spell with English club Leeds, the American returned to the Italian squad to become a regular fixture in Allegri’s lineups. Playing in every match from the start, McKennie has made a name for himself on the left as a wing-back, where he has already added an assist to his tally.
While McKennie has become indispensable, Timothy Weah is the team’s biggest revelation. Joining the team as a free agent after his contract with Lille expired, despite receiving a lucrative offer from Atlético Madrid, he initially found it challenging to secure a spot in Allegri’s starting lineup. However, his versatility, being able to play on both flanks, has enabled him to accumulate playing time, to the extent that he has been in the starting lineup for the last five matches.