Serie A: Christian Pulisic Heroics Helps AC Milan Pip Holders Napoli

AC Milan’s Christian Pulisic, centre, celebrates after scoring his side’s second goal with Santiago Gimenez, left, and Alexis Saelemaekers during the Serie A soccer match between AC Milan and Napoli at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Italian giants AC Milan picked up a statement 2-1 win over Napoli on Sunday in the Serie A clash between the sides despite going down to ten men with over half an hour of play left.

Christian Pulisic netted one himself after having set Alexis Saelemaekers’s opener up to outbid Napoli, who struck through a Kevin De Bruyne spot kick.

Pulisic’s standout performance against an injury-hit Napoli side propelled Milan to the top of the table with 12 points, ahead of both the champions and Roma—who won 2-0 against Verona—on goal difference.

“What we did today was incredible. It was a top, top performance,” Pulisic said following the riumphant result.

“The manager has done really well to get the best out of every player here. We’ve got a lot of quality and we showed that on the pitch,” the American added.

Pulisic has scored six times this season in all competitions and, just before finishing off a brilliant passing move, set up Youssouf Fofana with a sensational pass reminiscent of his teammate Luka Modric. The 27-year-old received a standing ovation from Milan supporters when he was substituted for Davide Bartesaghi, just before Kevin De Bruyne coolly converted a 60th-minute penalty to get Napoli back into the game.

Pulisic was taken off by coach Massimiliano Allegri following Pervis Estupinan’s red card for pulling back Giovanni Di Lorenzo, who was about to score from close range. Milan then had to withstand Napoli’s pressure as Antonio Conte’s team pushed forward, hoping to salvage something from the match.

Home fans were anxious when David Neres’ deflected shot hit the woodwork in stoppage time, but a buzzing San Siro erupted with joy at the final whistle as Milan secured their fourth consecutive league win.

Napoli now turn their focus to the Champions League, facing Sporting Lisbon after losing their perfect record in Italy’s top flight. “We have to do better for their goals, it wasn’t easy after going behind so early, but we pressed high and created chances,” Conte said.

“There are improvements to be made because we’re conceding too much to our opponents,” he added.

Roma remain in the hunt as Artem Dovbyk scored his first goal of the season early on at the Stadio Olimpico, and Matias Soule ensured a brief second-place standing with 11 minutes left in the match. Gian Piero Gasperini’s team, who host Lille in the Europa League on Thursday, are level with two title contenders after a mixed performance in sunny Rome.

“A number of players were having difficulties as it was the first time this season we’ve played three games in a week and not everyone recovered fully,” Gasperini said.

“We had problems that we’ve not had in other games, you could see that some players were not at their sharpest… we struggled more than we should have done.”

Verona, in 16th place with three points and yet to win this season, performed well but should have been level in the 28th minute when Gift Orban hit the bar from less than six yards out in front of an open goal.

Pisa came close to their first Serie A win in over three decades but had to settle for a goalless draw with Tuscan rivals Fiorentina. Henrik Meister excited Pisa fans by smashing home what looked like the opening goal in the 71st minute, but VAR officials spotted him handling the ball before his shot.

Juan Cuadrado then struck the post shortly after, but Alberto Gilardino’s newly promoted team remains in the relegation zone with two points in their first top-flight season since 1990/91. Milan loanee Francesco Camarda scored his first Serie A goal at 17 years old when he headed home Lecce’s stoppage-time equaliser in a 2-2 draw with Bologna.