AC Milan surged to the top of Serie A on Sunday with a dominant 3-0 victory over Hellas Verona, fueled by a brace from French forward Christopher Nkunku. The win marks Nkunku’s first league goals in Italy after joining the club in August, and propels Milan one point ahead of Napoli in the standings. This result is a significant boost for Milan as they navigate a challenging schedule in the coming weeks.
Rasmus Hojlund also shone, scoring a double for Napoli in their 2-0 win against Cremonese, further intensifying the title race. Both matches showcased attacking prowess and tactical discipline, setting the stage for an exciting continuation of the Serie A season.
Nkunku Breaks Through for AC Milan
Christopher Nkunku’s performance against Verona was a breakthrough moment for the 28-year-old. He opened his account for the season in Italian top flight, converting a penalty in the 47th minute after being fouled himself. Just five minutes later, he extended Milan’s lead with a close-range finish, effectively sealing the victory.
Prior to this match, Nkunku had only managed to find the net once for Milan, in a Coppa Italia game against Lecce in September. Coach Massimiliano Allegri expressed his satisfaction with Nkunku’s progress, noting his sensitivity and desire to perform well. Allegri also emphasized the importance of continued improvement from all players given the team’s busy fixture list.
Pulisic Continues Impressive Form
The win wasn’t solely down to Nkunku; Christian Pulisic continued his exceptional form for Milan, scoring his eighth goal in 11 Serie A appearances. Pulisic opened the scoring just before halftime, capitalizing on a flick-on from Adrien Rabiot during a corner kick.
Since arriving at Milan in 2023, Pulisic has been directly involved in 50 goals, demonstrating his significant impact on the team’s attacking output. Despite missing some games due to injury, he has consistently proven to be a key player for Allegri.
Napoli Keep the Pressure On
Meanwhile, Napoli maintained their title challenge with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Cremonese. Hojlund was the star of the show, scoring both goals to take his season tally to nine across all competitions.
The Danish striker found the net in the 13th minute, capitalizing on a deflection, and again just before halftime, calmly slotting home after a deflection fell his way. Hojlund’s performance highlights his growing confidence and effectiveness in the Serie A.
Hojlund has exceeded expectations, scoring six times in 12 league games, surpassing his entire Premier League goal haul from his previous season with Manchester United. He attributes his improvement to gaining experience and playing alongside talented teammates.
Verona, despite a recent resurgence with wins against Atalanta and Fiorentina, remain in the relegation zone. They trail Genoa by two points, with Genoa set to face Roma on Monday. Cremonese also continue to struggle, remaining near the bottom of the table.
The title race is heating up, with Inter Milan also having the opportunity to reclaim the top spot later on Sunday when they travel to face Atalanta. The outcome of that match will significantly impact the league standings and the momentum of the top contenders. The next few weeks will be crucial as teams battle for position and prepare for potential European commitments.
Looking ahead, the focus will be on Inter’s match against Atalanta and how the top teams navigate their congested schedules. The January transfer window could also introduce new dynamics, with potential signings and departures impacting team performance. The consistency of players like Nkunku and Hojlund will be key to their respective teams’ success throughout the remainder of the football season.
