Juventus beats AC Milan at Dignity Health Sports Park
CARSON, Calif. -- The Soccer Champions Tour 2023 games in Los Angeles have been exciting, with plenty of goal-scoring and thrilling play. But Thursday’s matchup between Juventus F.C. and AC Milan may have been the most electrifying one yet.
A 2-2 scoreline after 90 minutes led to penalty kicks, where Juventus won 4-3 after goalkeeper Carlo Pinsoglio made two saves. The game was the first Champions Tour game that went to penalty kicks this year.
After stopping two penalty kicks to give @juventusfc the win, your @SportsOnDIRECTV Man of the Match is Carlo Pinsoglio 🏆 #championscollide pic.twitter.com/VdHUyg7xdv
— Soccer Champions Tour (@TheSCTour) July 28, 2023
Juventus’ two goals came from defenders Danilo and Daniele Rugani 33 and 48 minutes into the game, respectively. Milan’s other goal was scored by Olivier Giroud 39 minutes into the game. In penalty kicks, midfielder Matías Soulé scored the winning kick for Juventus.
The matchup also intrigued many in the United States as three Americans were playing in it: forward Christian Pulisic, midfielder Weston McKennie, and forward Tim Weah.
Pulisic made his third start for Milan after signing with them before the Champions Tour. He played both right wing and left wing, alternating with forward Rafael Leão against Juventus.
Pulisic was dangerous with some of his movements and produced by drawing fouls.
Two minutes into the game, Pulisic assisted a goal, but the play was called offside before Pulisic completed his pass to the center of the box. 23 minutes into the game, he drew a foul in the middle-right side of the field, annd the free kick from this chance was scored by defender Malik Thiaw to open scoring.
Pulisic was substituted off the field 58 minutes into the game.
“[Pulisic] is a great guy as well off the pitch. And on the pitch, he is quality. We are very happy to have him here,” Thiaw said.
Credit: Henry Tran
For Juventus F.C., Weah and McKennie started the game at right wing-back and in the midfield, respectively. Weah participated heavily in the flow of play, while McKennie’s night was slightly less involved.
Weah was solid in the attack, creating chances for his teammates. 26 minutes into the game, Weah received a long ball down the right side and crossed it back to Federico Chiesa in open space, but Chiesa’s shot was wide.
44 minutes into the game, Weah passed a through ball to defender Federico Gatti, but Gatti’s shot was blocked out of bounds for a corner kick. Similarly, 49 minutes into the game, Weah made a run through the center of the field and passed it to forward Moise Kean, but Kean’s shot was blocked.
50 minutes into the game, Weah linked up with McKennie, but McKennie’s subsequent cross towards the middle of the box was stopped.
Weah and McKennie were substituted off the field 60 minutes into the game.
“They are two very amazing players. I hope this year they help us do great,” said Kean regarding Weah and McKennie.
Next, Milan and Juventus leave Los Angeles, traveling to Las Vegas and Orlando, respectively.