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Getty Images SportPulisic looks to return to his best
This was always going to be the story of AC Milan's season. Manager Max Allegri guarantees a certain amount of defensive solidity. But consistency? Well, that's a little hard to come by. And let's face it, there are holes in this team. Sometimes, Christian Pulisic will have to hard carry the Rossoneri. For the last month or so, he's had the absolute audacity to misfire on that remit. Pulisic is without a goal contribution in four games, and missed a couple of golden opportunities in a 1-1 draw against struggling Fiorentina last weekend. Allegri left him out altogether in a convincing 3-1 win over Como on Thursday afternoon, but the fact remains: Pulisic has to find a little bit of form again.
Lecce are a weird team. They are the worst attacking team in the league, and are floating just above the relegation zone. Their defense, comparatively, is agreeable. This is a mid-table defensive unit paced by a Serie B attack. It is, then, exactly the kind of game that Milan will likely draw 1-1. Enter Pulisic, scoreless in his last four. His legs should be fresh after going nearly a week without seeing the pitch. This would be a fine occasion for him to remind everyone just how good he is at soccer.
GettyMcKennie is on fire - but for how long?
The McKennie situation is interesting. The USMNT midfielder is playing some of his best soccer in years. But off the field, the noise keeps getting louder. Rumor has it that a Premier League switch could be on the cards - even if McKennie publicly said he fancies staying in Turin. It's all a bit complicated and could easily get pretty messy, very soon.
But the field is where results happen. And he's been excellent in Juve's last three games, scoring twice and being full of attacking danger. The reason? Luciano Spalletti has given the American a little more attacking freedom. So often exiled to an agreeable wing-back spot, McKennie has pushed forward a little more of late, showing what he can do in attacking areas. And with Juve finally getting some production out of Jonathan David, it looks like the Bianconeri are a CONCACAF attacking powerhouse. They're facing Cagliari at a good time, too. They haven't kept a clean sheet in their last six fixtures, and have won just one of their last five. Juve, meanwhile, are finding their goalscoring touch.
It could be the final weeks of McKennie's Juve tenure. And if that's the case, then this is a fine fixture for the beginning of the end.
AFPRichards steps into the Crystal Palace spotlight
It's chaos in Crystal Palace. Seriously, where do you want to start? First, Marc Guehi finally did the inevitable and left the club. He was supposed to be a Liverpool player last summer. Now, he will be suiting up for Man City as they push for Premier League glory. Oliver Glasner also confirmed this week that he will leave the club at the end of the campaign.
Well, good luck, lads. That means it's on a rotating cast of center backs to get it done. Fortunately for Palace, they have two excellent ones in Richards and Max Lacroix. Yes, the Macclesfield loss in the FA Cup is a black mark on their season, but they held Villa to a scoreless draw the week before - and that was without the USMNT star. Richards' quality cannot be doubted. But it's consistency that will matter here. It starts with a tired-looking Sunderland tomorrow. They're a good defensive side, and a clean sheet will be imperative for the Eagles if they want to get a result.
Getty Images SportCardoso to get his moment?
There's change afoot for Atletico Madrid. They have made some moves in central midfield, offloading out of favor Connor Gallagher to Tottenham. It might just clear some room up for Cardoso.
The American has enjoyed a run of late, appearing in the last La Liga fixture, the Copa Del Rey, and also getting a run out in the Spanish Super Cup semifinal. Admittedly, it will depend on what kind of attacking configuration manager Diego Simeone wants to deploy against Alaves. They will be happy to sit in, which might require a bit of attacking thrust for Atleti. But with the depth chart clearing up, there could be more minutes for Cardoso.
