GdS: ‘Stars and stripes battle’ – the heavy USA influence in Milan-Juventus | OneFootball

There will be a distinctly American feel to the game between AC Milan and Juventus at San Siro, as friends and team-mates turn into opponents.

La Gazzetta dello Sport writes how Milan-Juve is a game that will be watched all around the world but especially in the USA, given the representation. Christian Pulisic and Yunus Musah are among the Rossoneri ranks, with Weston McKennie and Tim Weah part of the Bianconeri.

They will be opponents after wearing the same shirt just a few days ago and even sharing hugs after the four goals scored by the USMNT against Jamaica in the second leg of the Concacaf Nations League quarter-finals.

The first goal by ‘Captain America’ Pulisic came from McKennie’s assist, and the winger celebrated with the ‘Trump dance’. Even the Milan player, who is usually quite reserved, said he wants to become a role modal of sorts.

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“I want to help my teams, not only with goals and assists but with everything. I try to be a leader and help win games. I’m happy to play like this,” he said. Pulisic returns from America having contributed with goals and assists to keep his good run going.

Musah will also be on the same plane that will take Christian back to Italy today. Yunus has a leading role with the USA. If with Milan he was last used to stop Vinicius Jr., with the States he is an assist man: his was the pass that also led to Tim Weah scoring against Jamaica.

Pulisic will be back at Milanello two and a half days before the game which is more than enough time for him to be in the team. He is the pride of American football fans and of one in particular, Gerry Cardinale, the founder and owner of RedBird. Musah, meanwhile, should start on the bench.

On the flip side, Weah has returned transformed after the injury at the beginning of the season. When Tim starts, he often scores and that is what happened on Monday night with the USA. He actually has three goals in the last four league games (four in total for the season) too.

Weah scored against Inter in the 4-4 draw a few weeks ago and he is looking for an encore, especially with Dusan Vlahovic out and even more so at the stadium where his father George won the Ballon d’Or with the Rossoneri.

McKennie remains a precious wild card for Thiago Motta. The former Leeds player was one step away from leaving Juventus in the summer, but of the current midfield options he is the only one to have scored so far (two goals this season).