Yunus Musah: Serie A's forgotten American beginning to shine ahead of 'Derby d'USMNT' between AC Milan and Juventus

As La Liga's 2022-23 season came to a close, it began to look more and more like Musah's time had come. He had given plenty to Valencia and developed into a hell of a player, but with the club struggling on and off the field, it seemed like the best time for all involved to move on.

In the end, he moved to Milan, despite plenty of reported interest throughout the Premier League. He became the second American to arrive at the club in the summer, joining Pulisic, who made the move from Chelsea.

The two Americans were brought in to a team that was looking to build on back-to-back successful seasons. In 2021-22, Milan won the Scudetto, their first in over a decade. In 2022-23, they made it all the way to the Champions League semi-finals before heartbreakingly falling to fierce rivals Inter.

So, heading into the summer, Milan were looking for a few players to lift the team, and while Musah was brought in as a long-term investment, he's already made his mark in the short-term.

From the first few weeks of the season, it was clear that Stefano Pioli would be taking things somewhat slow with Musah. He had other midfielders he could rely on, at least at the start, so the manager was content to ease the 20-year-old into his new surroundings.

That was made easier by the fact that Musah, who spent part of his childhood in Italy, wouldn't be overwhelmed by the change in language or culture. But, even so, it always takes a young player a bit of time to adjust to a club the size of AC Milan.

His first three appearances in Serie A were off the bench, combining for just under 90 minutes total. He was then inserted into the starting XI for his first start against Chievo Verona on September 23.

Pioli's biggest show of faith, though, came against Borussia Dortmund's in Milan's second Champions League group-stage match. After coming off the bench in the opener against Newcastle, a 0-0 draw, Musah then started against Dortmund in Germany. It was his first Champions League start, and Musah more than held his own in a another scoreless draw.

Musah expected to break into the Milan XI at some point. This fast, though? Not even he expected that. "I knew I had to be patient when I got there, and then, all of a sudden, things happen really fast where all of a sudden I was coming on for more minutes and then I was starting in different roles and getting confidence from the manager, the fans, the team," Musah said. "Things went really fast and I started starting a few games and I can't say that it's not been ideal.

"This is so fun, to be playing so many games and now getting game time, winning games. Yeah, it's been a very fun process. I'm enjoying being at the club."

Musah went on to credit Pioli for helping him to adjust, and for giving him confidence to play in a new setting with new teammates and in new roles: "I feel like every player will agree, you want to come in, starting games all the time, scoring goals, and just shining at the beginning. I had to be patient. I thought I'd have to be even more patient than I've been! I didn't expect to be starting so many games right now, to be honest with you. With patience, things come and I'm happy that things came quickly.

"The manager has been helping me a lot as well. He's helping me adapt to the system, the different roles and ultimately helping me to become a better player. That's one of the ultimate goals."

One of the most intriguing parts of Musah's move to Milan is how he will develop from it. After years shifting from a wide position with his club to a central spot with the USMNT, Musah is in Milan's plans as a central midfielder.

Musah, of course, is comfortable in all three spots: as a No.6, a No.8 and, if needed, as more of an attacking midfielder. His ability to carry the ball forward makes him a handful for anyone marking him and, over the years, his defensive instincts have improved. Thus far, it seems like Milan are cultivating him as a No.6, one that will be able to disrupt play and also have the ability to play with the ball under pressure when pressed.

"When you're receiving the ball deeper and you're constructing and starting the build-up, I feel like it's an area of the field that's delicate," Musah said of the position. "You have to try and play simple. I have to simplify my game and try and play simple, one-two touch. You're not in the pockets as you are when you're playing higher so you're close to goal and you're trying to play simple, one or two touch and you feel people pressing you from behind.

"Defensively, also, it's more of a role where you're not pressing high because you're not as high up the field, but you're closing lines, helping the center-backs, things like that."

Pioli, though, says Musah isn't just limited to a deeper position as the team will be creative in how they use him, saying in late September: “He has different characteristics from [Rade] Krunic and [Yacine] Adli, and he is able to penetrate when he plays further forward. He has qualities that we will need a lot; he is a complete player, and wherever I use him, he will be important for the team.”

Regardless of where he plays at club level, Musah will be relied on heavily by the U.S. over the coming months as the team looks to overcome the absence of Tyler Adams. The national team captain is reportedly set to be out for several months due to a hamstring injury that will require surgery. As a result, much of the USMNT's build towards the Copa America will be done without their destroyer of a No.6.

That includes the upcoming Nations League clash with Trinidad & Tobago, which will determine if the U.S. will be in the Copa America to begin with, as well as, potentially depending on his recovery, the Nations League semi-finals and final in March.

In the upcoming matches, the U.S. will likely use the 4-2-3-1 formation that looked so good against Germany and Ghana, with Musah and McKennie as the two holding midfielders. They won't have their safety blanket in Adams behind them, meaning it'll be up to the two of them to be a bit more defensive, with someone like like Gio Reyna ahead of them pulling the strings.

Musah and McKennie, of course, could do battle on Sunday as Milan face Juventus in the league. Pulisic and Weah will likely be on the field as well, although they'll probably be on opposite sides.

McKennie recently moved back into midfield after previously battling Weah for minutes at right wing-back. If he does get the start centrally, watching him and Musah collide will certainly be something of a memorable moment for USMNT fans, who haven't had many chances to see top American stars collide at this level very often.

Sunday's match has major stakes, even this early in the season. Milan are top of the league, two points ahead of rivals Inter and four points ahead of Juve. The title race is already very much on just eight games into the season, as their will be five or six teams holding title ambitions heading towards November.

A win for Milan would very much see them boost their title credentials. A win for Juve would blow the race wide open. And there's a chance that an American player may decide it all with two stars on either side of this early-season battle.

It's not the only big game on the schedule for Milan, who will face a short turnaround before traveling to France to take on Paris Saint-Germain. Wednesday's clash at Parc des Princes will be a key one, with the Champions League's 'Group of Death' remaining very tight through two games. Milan have two points through those two games, having earned draws with Dortmund and Newcastle, who sit bottom and top of the group, respectively.

After that, it's right back to Serie A for another massive match as Milan travel to Naples to take on last season's Scudetto winners, Napoli.

The big games are coming thick and fast for Milan, and there's a good chance Musah will have a big part to play, just like Pulisic, as they compete to bring more silverware to one of the world's most decorated clubs.