Christian Pulisic aids AC Milan rescue act! USMNT star impresses off the bench in Sassuolo draw as Yunus Musah fluffs his lines on rare start

Pulisic has enjoyed a memorable debut campaign in Italy, with a personal-best return of 13 goals posted across all competitions. The odd question has, however, been asked of whether Nigeria international Samuel Chukwueze should be given more game time at the American’s expense.

Stefano Pioli made that selection call in a meeting with relegation-threatened Sassuolo, but saw a shuffling of his pack backfire. Chukwueze saw a goal in either half ruled out for offside, as Milan toiled for long periods against stubborn opposition.

They fell two goals behind inside the opening 10 minutes, as Andrea Pinamonti and Armand Lauriente found the target, with a mountain being left to climb in intense heat at that point. Portuguese forward Rafael Leao did drag them back into the game midway through the first-half, with the Rossoneri piling pressure on from there.

Pushing for a leveller was always going to leave holes at the back, and Sassuolo took advantage of that when grabbing their third through Lauriente early in the second period. Luka Jovic pulled another back for Milan before the hour mark, following good work by Leao, and Chukwueze was left frustrated by a VAR offside review after appearing to snatch an equaliser.

The visitors were not to be denied and, after a flurry of changes, snatched a share of the points in the 84th minute courtesy of Noah Okafor, who poked home moments after being introduced – with the lively away support being given something to cheer.

Milan remain second in the Serie A table, in an ongoing bid to wrap up Champions League qualification, but are allowing arch-rivals Inter to edge ever closer to sealing a one-sided title triumph with plenty of room to spare. Pioli has fallen under pressure at times this season, and will be aware that he needs to do more in order to earn an extended stay in the San Siro dugout.

While Pulisic was named among the Milan substitutes, USMNT colleague Musah was included from the off. The 21-year-old midfielder has had to be patient in pursuit of regular game time this season, with alternative options often being favoured.

His start against Sassuolo was a first in Serie A since lining up against Atalanta on December 9. All of his minutes in the Italian top-flight since then have come from off the bench. He was, however, given an opportunity to impress at Mapei Stadium.

Musah could do little to prevent Milan slipping behind early on, with holes picked in their defensive unit, and was credited with an assist for Leao’s impressive strike despite the Portuguese picking the ball up wide on the left and doing most of the hard work himself before drilling low into the back of the net.

He was hauled off shortly after the restart, as Pioli’s pre-match plans were ripped up, and Pulisic was not seen until the 65th minute when he replaced Chukwueze. The former Chelsea man looked lively and could have grabbed a goal himself as Milan raised their game in order to take a point in a dramatic 3-3 draw.

Yunus Musah (5/10):

Would have been hoping for an easier afternoon after forcing his way back into Milan’s starting XI. Claiming an assist looks good on the stats sheet, but Musah merely passed the ball in Leao’s direction a long way from goal and was replaced less than 10 minutes into the second half as the Rossoneri fluffed their lines.

Christian Pulisic (6/10):

Milan were crying out for inspiration from somewhere as they desperately searched for a leveller. Pulisic was asked to bring his usual blend of creativity and work rate to the Rossoneri cause and saw one close range effort beaten away as he helped to take something from a game that appeared to be slipping away from the visitors at one stage.

Milan have six games left to take in this season, with third-placed Juventus not breathing down their neck just yet. They will be back in domestic action on April 22 when facing table-topping Inter in an eagerly-anticipated derby, but have the second leg of a Europa League quarter-final clash with Roma to take in before then that requires a 1-0 aggregate deficit to be overturned.