From Pulisic to Weah: How the US-internationals have settled ahead of Milan vs. Juventus

In what has been described as an American takeover, 4 US-internationals may very well be set to star in Serie A’s headline fixture between Milan and Juventus this weekend, greater than in any earlier fixture within the Italian prime flight. 

The 4 in query embody Milan’s summer time acquisitions Christian Pulisic and Yunus Musah, in addition to Juve’s fellow Serie A newcomer Timothy Weah and returning loanee Weston McKennie. 

Till the start of the 2023-24 season, McKennie was one among solely 10 Individuals who had ever performed on the highest stage in Italy. Heading into this weekend, nonetheless, there’s a probability that 30% of the 13 US-born gamers to have ever performed in Serie A may take to the sphere on the similar time. 

Actually, all 4 are in with a excessive probability of beginning. Pulisic has cemented himself as a assured starter for the Rossoneri since his summer time transfer to Chelsea, whereas McKennie has additionally loved considerably of a re-birth as a wing-back in Massimiliano Allegri’s 3-5-2. 

Musah and McKennie, two thirds of the beginning USMNT midfield on the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, weren’t anticipated to stroll into the beginning line-ups originally of the home season, however each have additionally since proved themselves as invaluable additions to their respective coaches. 

Pulisic approaches the Juventus recreation in nice type, having registered 4 league objectives in eight matches because the starting of the marketing campaign. The previous Borussia Dortmund starlet added one other two objectives to his worldwide tally throughout the break with strikes towards each Germany and Ghana over the past week. 

His membership teammate Musah has additionally impressed along with his latest performances, having been launched as a starter following the harm to fellow midfield summer time signing Ruben Loftus-Cheek. 

Within the Juventus camp, Weah and McKennie have nearly been competing for a similar spot within the beginning line-up. 

Weah began the primary two video games of the season from right-wing-back and was changed by his compatriot each occasions. McKennie then began the next 5 matches, and in flip, was changed by Weah on all of these events. 

Nevertheless, in Juve’s most up-to-date recreation earlier than the worldwide break towards Torino, each discovered themselves collectively for the primary time, with Weah claiming the vast place and McKennie reverting to a extra acquainted place in a midfield three. 

Milan, with a file of seven wins and one loss, sit on the prime of the Serie A desk after eight matches, whereas Juve sit 4 factors behind them in third on 17 factors. 

Whereas the Bianconeri can not mathematically go prime of Serie A this weekend, they do have a beneficial alternative to scale back the hole to the highest with a win at San Siro.