Pulisic Shines in Milan Derby as American Players Make Their Mark

Christian Pulisic has historically had a turbulent relationship with the Milan derby, struggling to make an impact in his initial matches. However, his recent performances have been nothing short of spectacular. Heading into Sunday’s clash, he had scored in two of his last three derby appearances, and after a two-week rest, he was ready to elevate his game further.

Pulisic delivered exactly that, netting the only goal in a 1-0 victory for AC Milan. He lunged at the far post to capitalize on a rebound from Yann Sommer, celebrating passionately deep into the second half. Shortly after his decisive contribution, Pulisic was substituted, but his impact was firmly etched into the match. This victory allowed Milan to overtake their rivals, positioning them just two points behind early-season leaders Roma, suggesting that Pulisic’s continued excellence could propel them further up the standings.

Meanwhile, Timothy Tillman has been finding his stride at Bayer Leverkusen after a challenging start. Having been signed to replace Florian Wirtz, Tillman faced significant pressure, compounded by the departure of the coach who brought him to the club. However, he recently showcased his capabilities in a match against Wolfsburg, contributing both a goal and an assist in a convincing 3-1 win. Despite Leverkusen’s struggles this season, currently sitting eight points off the top, Tillman’s resurgence offers a glimmer of hope for improvement.

On the other hand, Timothy Weah is back in action following a thigh injury that sidelined him during a successful November camp with the USMNT. In his return for Olympique de Marseille against Nice, Weah made a significant impact by scoring his first Ligue 1 goal, a powerful strike at the near post. This goal coincided with the three-year anniversary of his memorable strike for the national team against Wales, showcasing his potential to make a lasting impression. Marseille currently trails PSG by just two points, and Weah’s contributions could be pivotal as they aim for a title they haven’t claimed since 2009.

The U.S. national team now faces an injury crisis in defense, with key players like Cameron Carter-Vickers sidelined. Chris Richards is also dealing with injuries, while Tim Ream’s age raises questions about his reliability. In this context, newcomer Noahkai Banks emerges as a promising talent. Standing at 6-foot-4, Banks has carved out a place at Augsburg, starting six consecutive Bundesliga matches. He displayed his skills during a recent 1-0 victory over Hamburg, proving his defensive capabilities.

In other news, Gio Reyna made a brief appearance for Borussia Monchengladbach in their 3-0 win over Heidenheim, while Joe Scally played the full match at right back. Haji Wright missed Coventry’s match due to a hip injury, and Tyler Adams made a solid return from injury in Bournemouth’s 2-2 draw with West Ham. Meanwhile, Weston McKennie and Yunus Musah had minimal impact in their respective matches, and Josh Sargent failed to capitalize on scoring opportunities in Norwich’s loss.