Juventus and Milan Face Crucial Matches in Serie A Title Race

**Can McKennie Maintain His Stellar Performance?**
As Juventus gears up for one of their most significant matches of the season, the team will undoubtedly be counting on the form of Weston McKennie.

Fifth-placed Juventus is set to face third-placed Napoli this Sunday in a clash that will significantly influence the Serie A title aspirations of both clubs. Napoli enters the match six points adrift of league leaders Inter, while Juventus stands ten points behind. A defeat for either team could severely diminish their title hopes, whereas a victory would invigorate their chances and contribute to an increasingly competitive race for the top four.

In positive news for Juventus, McKennie is currently enjoying the best form of his career. Following a goal against Benfica midweek, he has now netted three goals in his last three Champions League appearances and five goals over the past two months. This impressive form has been crucial in keeping Juventus competitive in both Serie A and Champions League play. However, following a recent loss to Cagliari, Juventus finds itself at risk of slipping out of the Serie A’s upper tier. A win on Sunday could help avert that situation.

McKennie is not the only American making waves at the top of Serie A; Christian Pulisic and AC Milan are also in the mix. Milan will face Roma this weekend, who currently occupy the fourth position in the league with 42 points, while Milan sits second with 46 points, trailing their city rivals Inter. Given Inter’s favorable matchup against relegation-threatened Pisa, the pressure is on Milan to secure a crucial win against a fellow Serie A powerhouse.

Like Juventus, Milan relies heavily on their American star, Pulisic, even as he experiences a slight dip in form. Although he has scored just one goal in his last six starts—considered a downturn for him—he remains Milan’s leading scorer this season with eight goals and two assists. With a pressing need for results to keep their Scudetto ambitions alive, this weekend represents an opportune moment for Pulisic to find his footing again.

Meanwhile, in another Serie A fixture, Atalanta will clash with Parma, featuring American players Yunus Musah and Benjamin Cremaschi, who are striving to break into their teams’ starting lineups. Musah, a veteran of the 2022 World Cup, is just 23 and faces an uphill battle for a spot on the 2026 World Cup roster. Likewise, Cremaschi, who recently received the U.S. Soccer Young Male Player of the Year award, also looks to make his mark, but both players need game time to showcase their talents.

Unfortunately, opportunities have been limited; Cremaschi has only seen 27 minutes of play this season, while Musah has logged 435 minutes, primarily from bench appearances. American fans will be keen to see either or both players take the field as they aim to build towards the 2026 World Cup.

In the Premier League, while there are no straightforward matches, some fixtures are certainly highlighted on players’ calendars. A home game against Chelsea remains one of these, particularly for fellow London club Crystal Palace.

The role of defender Ryan Richards has become increasingly crucial for Palace, especially in light of Marc Guehi’s departure and the impending exit of manager Oliver Glasner. Currently winless in the league since December 7, this weekend’s matchup against Chelsea presents a vital opportunity for Palace to reset their trajectory and restore confidence against a Chelsea side that has faced its own challenges this season.

Can Crystal Palace halt their recent decline? A victory would greatly alleviate doubts as the club approaches a significant transition in the coming year.