AC Milan secured a 2-1 victory over reigning Serie A champions Napoli at the San Siro, propelled by a stellar performance from Christian Pulisic. The win puts Milan at the top of the Serie A table, tied on points with Napoli and Roma, but leading on goal difference.
Pulisic was instrumental in the victory, providing an assist and scoring a goal himself. His contributions have cemented his place as a key player for Milan under Massimiliano Allegri. The USMNT star has had an exceptional start to the season, contributing eight goal involvements in his first six Serie A matches.
Milan started the game strongly, with Alexis Saelemaekers scoring in the 3rd minute after a brilliant run and cross from Pulisic. Pulisic then doubled the lead in the 31st minute, capitalizing on a pass from Youssouf Fofana after a run from Strahinja Pavlović.
Napoli fought back in the second half, with Kevin De Bruyne scoring a penalty in the 60th minute after a red card was issued to Milan's Pervis Estupinan for a foul on Giovanni Di Lorenzo. Despite being a man down, Milan managed to hold on for the win, showcasing their defensive resilience and team spirit. Goalkeeper Mike Maignan also made crucial saves to deny Napoli's comeback attempts.
Allegri's tactical setup, utilizing a 3-5-2 formation, allowed Milan to effectively cover the pitch and counter Napoli's attacks. Pulisic, playing as a striker in this system, has thrived with the freedom to move into space on the left side of the attack.
Pulisic's performance has drawn high praise, with many highlighting his importance to Milan's success. His goal and assist against Napoli bring his tally to six goals and two assists in all competitions this season. He has become the player with the most direct goal involvements in Serie A over the last three seasons, with 46 (27 goals and 19 assists).
The victory over Napoli is a significant statement of intent from AC Milan, demonstrating their ambition to challenge for the Serie A title. Pulisic believes the win sends a strong message to the league, showcasing the team's quality, strength, and defensive capabilities.
Looking ahead, Milan faces Juventus on October 5th, which promises to be another important match in the Serie A campaign. Napoli will focus on their Champions League game against Sporting Lisbon.
