Christian Pulisic fired AC Milan as much as second in Serie A with the one objective in Sunday’s 1-0 win over lowly Empoli whereas Juve had been held to an entertaining 2-2 house draw by Atalanta. US star Pulisic gave Milan a scrappy win together with his eighth league objective of an encouraging debut season in Italy, a deflected strike off unlucky Empoli defender Sebastiano Luperto. The 25-year-old had a troublesome time at Chelsea however since shifting to Milan from London final summer season he has scored 10 instances in all competitions and arrange six extra.
“It is a good feeling, it was good for us to get the three factors. It wasn’t a pleasant objective, it was a bit fortunate however on the finish of the day we take it,” mentioned Pulisic to DAZN.
“I really feel like I am in a few of my finest type, I have been given quite a lot of confidence and belief right here from the employees, from my teammates, the town and the followers. So I am feeling actually, actually good right here.”
Stefano Pioli’s facet are 16 factors behind their native rivals and champions-elect Inter Milan who beat fourth-placed Bologna on Saturday.
Milan now flip their attentions to Thursday’s Europa league last-16 return leg with Slavia Prague, with a 4-2 lead from the house leg.
Empoli are one level above the relegation zone however carried out in a way which prompt they need to be ok to keep away from the drop with survival specialist Davide Nicola.
Juve stall once more
Milan took second spot off Juventus whose poor run of type continued in opposition to sixth-placed Atalanta in Turin.
Teun Koopmeiners each opened and accomplished the scoring as Atalanta snatched a draw which left them 4 factors behind Bologna who’re within the closing Champions League spot.
Juve appeared set to retake second from Milan when quick-fire targets from Andrea Cambiaso and Arkadiusz Milik put the hosts forward within the seventieth minute.
As a substitute Juve are some extent behind Milan after selecting up simply six from their final seven matches and going from title challengers to also-rans within the area of weeks.
“We performed properly in opposition to crew… we have gained some extent on Bologna and Atalanta are actually 11 factors behind us,” mentioned Juve coach Massimiliano Allegri.
“Our intention is to complete within the high 4. I can not criticise the crew, it was a difficult ambiance at half-time they usually reacted properly. The hassle has by no means been missing.”
Gian Piero Gasperini’s Atalanta are some extent behind Roma who stayed fifth because of Diego Llorente’s last-gasp leveller which earned the capital membership a 2-2 draw at Fiorentina, whose penalty curse continued.
Spot-kick ache
Llorente smashed within the equaliser within the fifth minute of stoppage time to grab a draw after goalkeeper Mile Svilar saved Roma within the recreation by saving Cristiano Biraghi’s penalty within the 81st minute.
Roma had been on a excessive after hammering Brighton within the Europa League on Thursday however targets from Luca Ranieri and Rolando Mandragora had Fiorentina deservedly forward in Florence till Llorente struck.
Svilar’s essential save meant that Fiorentina have failed to attain from the penalty spot 4 instances this Serie A season.
“All these gamers you have seen miss are penalty takers. We won’t do any greater than work on them in coaching and taking them once they come alongside,” mentioned Fiorentina coach Vincenzo Italiano.
“We pay for it each time we miss. Each time we miss a penalty we find yourself throwing away factors. It is one thing we’ve got to vary.”
Lecce are degree on 25 factors with Empoli in fifteenth after being overwhelmed 1-0 at house by Verona following an early strike from Michael Folorunsho.
Nevertheless that wasn’t the largest story from that match as coach Roberto D’Aversa headbutted Verona striker Thomas Henry after a stormy encounter in southern Italy.
D’Aversa later admitted to Sky Sport that his behaviour was “inexcusable” earlier than then claiming on Instagram he by no means headbutted Henry in any respect.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV employees and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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