Christian Pulisic laid on the simplest assist of his career and hit the crossbar as AC Milan thumped Monza 3-0 on Sunday.
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USMNT star laid on openerHit woodwork in first halfMilan ran out easy winners(C)Getty ImagesWHAT HAPPENED?
Milan cruised to a comfortable win, days after ending Newcastle's hopes in the Champions League. Tijjani Reijnders opened the scoring for the hosts at San Siro with a superb goal within the first five minutes, taking the ball 30 yards out from Pulisic before jinking his way into the box, and poking the ball through the legs of Monza goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio.
Milan added a second on 42 minutes, as teenage debutant Jan-Carlo Simic got on the end of a superb Rafael Leao cross to finish. Pulisic then almost added a third on the stroke of half-time, as he dropped a shoulder and unleashed a vicious drive from just inside the box, but his superb effort crashed against the bar.
Noah Okafor added a third in the second half after a superb team move, capped by a brilliant Olivier Giroud assist on the spin.
AdvertisementTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Milan came into the game on the back of a dispiriting 3-2 defeat to Atalanta in Serie A last weekend. After that, of course, they beat Newcastle in the Champions League, and their latest win could potentially see them build some positive momentum as they bid to finish in the top four once again.
This victory moves them to 32 points, six behind leaders Inter – who play later on Sunday – and five behind second-placed Juventus.
GettyUSMNT IMPACT
Pulisic once again showed his ability to cut in off the flank and create chances, both for himself and his team-mates. That will come as no surprise to Gregg Berhalter, but it does bode well for the U.S. men's national team as the season progresses.
That he completed 90 minutes for only the third time this season in Serie A is another positive sign that he is as sharp as ever.
GOAL'S RATINGS
Christian Pulisic (6/10):
His assist was barely an assist, given the superb run from Reijnders, but he was a constant threat down the right flank. Unfortunately, he couldn't cap the performance with a goal, despite his best efforts.