Two of the Top American Players Play Against Each Other in Serie A
One of Serie A's most storied rivalries gets a fresh layer of intrigue on Sunday when AC Milan hosts Juventus at San Siro, with two U.S. men's national team regulars—Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie—set to face off in a match with major Champions League implications.
Pulisic has been one of Milan's standout performers this season, contributing eight goals and three assists across 26 appearances. But the American forward is currently mired in his longest scoring drought since arriving in Italy, having gone 15 league matches without finding the net since late December. With manager Max Allegri also having Christopher Nkunku, Niclas Fullkrug and Santiago Gimenez available up front, Pulisic will need to produce to keep his starting spot, and his form ahead of a home World Cup couldn't be more in focus.
McKennie, by contrast, arrives in excellent collective form. Juventus have won five of their last six league fixtures while conceding just once, and Luciano Spalletti's side, unbeaten in eight across all competitions, are firmly in the conversation to finish as high as second. McKennie has been a consistent contributor all season with five goals and five assists in 31 appearances, and Juventus will lean on his energy and work rate in the San Siro midfield.
The broader stakes are significant. Juventus currently sit four points clear of fifth place, and a victory would push them closer to a potential runners-up finish. Milan, eight points ahead of fifth-placed Como, is less threatened in the table but badly needs a win to restore confidence after losing three of their last five league games.
Notably, Juventus have not conceded against Milan in five straight top-flight meetings, which is a club record, making Pulisic's task of ending his drought all the more difficult.
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