AC Milan enjoyed a sensational run to the UEFA Champions League semifinals last season, but could very well be out of Europe all together by Christmas.
The Rossoneri suffered a 3-1 Matchday 5 defeat at the hands of Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday, falling to bottom of F. Christian Pulisic started and played 90 minutes in Stefano Pioli’s squad, but the American couldn’t help AC Milan avoid a second group stage loss.
Marco Reus’ 10th minute penalty kick boosted the visitors in front 1-0 before Samuel Chukwueze equalized for the Rossoneri in the 37th minute. However, Borussia Dortmund would flip the match in its favor for good just before the hour mark.
19-year-old Jamie Bynoe-Gittens propelled Edin Terzic’s men in front after 59 minutes before Karim Adeyemi came off the bench and added an insurance goal just 10 minutes later.
Pulisic registered two offensive chances and one shot on target in his 90 minutes on the field, but overall struggled to win his indivdual battles. The 25-year-old is only two matches back from a slight injury, which forced him to miss November international duty.
Fellow U.S. men’s national team teammate Yunus Musah was suspended for the match while Gio Reyna did not feature off the bench for Borussia Dortmund.
Dortmund has clinched a Round of 16 berth with the result, while AC Milan needs to defeat Newcastle United at St. James Park on Dec. 13 to have any chance of remaining in this season’s competition. Both AC Milan and Newcastle United are level on five points apiece heading into the Matchday 6 clash.
Pulisic and AC Milan turn their attentions towards Frosinone on Saturday in Serie A play.
He could’ve easily had 2 assists, one a beauty of pinpoint cross right to a wide open (Calabria I think) at the back post who flubbed an easy header. Another time he dropped deep, received the ball made a sweet turn and hit a perfect 40 yard throughball to Chukwueze who was in on goal and had a heavy touch let him down. He also connected on a sweet scissorkick volley that was blocked off the goal line. If he was injured he sure didn’t look it to me. He wasn’t quite as dynamic attacking off the dribble, but I think Dortmund were really marking him with Leao out. Giroud really let them down by missing the early penalty, and Milan’s defense was really poor in this one, especially in transition.
Can still go to the Europa league. Really hope he starts to produce more goals and assists for Milan the rest of the season.
They can, although, I don’t back them to win at Newcastle. Might be a tough time for even a point!