Post by : Rameen Ariff

AC Milan’s Christian Pulisic missed a crucial penalty as his side had to settle for a 0-0 draw against Juventus in Turin on Sunday, a result that stopped Milan from returning to the top of the Serie A standings.

The match came after Napoli, AS Roma, and Inter Milan all secured victories earlier in the weekend, putting extra pressure on both Milan and Juventus to keep pace in the Serie A title race. The goalless draw means Milan remain in third place with 13 points, two points behind joint-leaders Napoli and Roma. Juventus, with 12 points, sit fifth in the Serie A table, just behind Inter on goal difference.

For Milan manager Massimiliano Allegri, who returned to face Juventus where he had previously won five league titles across eight seasons, the night was a tough one with no happy memories.

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Juventus midfielder Andrea Cambiaso explained after the match, “I didn’t expect anything different, knowing coach Allegri. I knew it would be a blocked and balanced game.”

The first half saw very few moments of excitement, though both teams created chances. Juventus striker Jonathan David, who had scored on his debut against Parma, struggled once again. He failed to connect with Weston McKennie’s flick in front of goal and later lost his footing when set up by Pierre Kalulu inside the box.

Milan’s Santiago Gimenez, still chasing his first Serie A goal, went on a skillful run into the Juventus area but could not beat goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio. Later, after a perfect cross from Strahinja Pavlovic, Gimenez headed the ball wide.

Just after the break, Juventus almost took the lead when Federico Gatti found himself one-on-one with Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan, but the Frenchman spread himself wide to make a brilliant save.

Moments later came the turning point of the match. Milan were awarded a penalty when Lloyd Kelly fouled Gimenez in the box. Christian Pulisic stepped up but blasted his spot-kick high over the bar, wasting Milan’s best chance to seal victory.

In response, Allegri brought on Rafael Leao, who tried an ambitious chip from the halfway line that went over the bar. In stoppage time, Leao was sent through on goal by Luka Modric’s clever pass, but his shot went straight at the Juventus goalkeeper, and the game ended 0-0.

Milan’s Adrien Rabiot, facing his former club, said after the match: “We could have done much more. Winning here would have been very important. But the key thing is we did not concede a goal. Still, we have regrets tonight.”

Juventus midfielder Cambiaso admitted frustration after his side’s fifth straight draw in all competitions, saying: “There is enthusiasm, more than last season, but five consecutive draws are too many.” Juventus fans showed their disappointment with loud jeers and whistles at full-time.

The result leaves the Serie A title race wide open, with AC Milan, Juventus, Napoli, Roma, and Inter all fighting closely at the top of the standings.

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