American Contingent in Italy Ready for Final Matches
Serie A concludes its dramatic 2024-25 campaign, and several United States internationals will be center stage in pivotal final-day fixtures that could define their clubs' European ambitions and relegation battles.
AC Milan hosts relegated Monza at San Siro on Saturday, with Americans Christian Pulisic and Yunus Musah looking to salvage some pride from a catastrophic season. For the first time since 2015-16, Milan will finish outside European qualification, currently sitting ninth after a late-season collapse that included a Coppa Italia final defeat to Bologna and a crushing loss at Roma.
The Rossoneri face an embarrassing backdrop as their ultras plan to walk out after 15 minutes. Milan risk equaling their lowest home win total in a 21st-century season, needing a victory to avoid matching their dismal eight home victories from 2007-08 and 2020-21.
Pulisic, who requested time off from USMNT Gold Cup duties after a grueling season, will likely feature in manager Sergio Conceição's possible starting lineup alongside Musah in midfield. The Americans will hope to end their disappointing campaign on a positive note against a Monza side that has managed just three wins from 37 matches - one of the worst tallies in Serie A history.
Sunday's marquee fixture sees Venezia host Juventus at Stadio Penzo, featuring a fascinating USMNT subplot as Weston McKennie and Tim Weah face off against Gianluca Busio in a match with enormous stakes.
Juventus need just one point to secure Champions League football, with McKennie expected to start despite limping off with an ankle injury last week. The versatile midfielder has been crucial to Juve's push for fourth place, while Weah will miss the Gold Cup due to Club World Cup commitments with the Bianconeri.
On the opposite side, Busio anchors Venezia's midfield as the Lagunari fight for Serie A survival. Sitting 19th and two points from safety, Venezia must beat Juventus and hope other results go their way to avoid immediate relegation back to Serie B. It would be their first top-flight home victory over Juventus since 1962.
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