AC Milan were held to a 0-0 draw by Juventus after Christian Pulisic missed a penalty, allowing Napoli and Roma both 2-1 winners on Sunday to take over the top of Serie A.
AC Milan and Juventus played out a tense and hard-fought 0-0 draw on Sunday evening in Turin, a result that had major implications at the top of Serie A.
Despite both sides creating chances and fighting for supremacy in one of Italian football’s biggest rivalries, neither was able to break the deadlock. For Milan, the missed opportunity came from Christian Pulisic, who squandered a penalty early in the second half that could have given the Rossoneri all three points. The goalless draw ultimately opened the door for Napoli and Roma to leapfrog into joint leadership of the league table.
The penalty incident was the defining moment of the match. In the 53rd minute, Milan were awarded a spot kick after sustained pressure inside the Juventus box. Pulisic, who has been one of the club’s most influential players since arriving in Italy, stepped up with the chance to tilt the match in his team’s favor. However, his effort lacked the power and placement to beat the goalkeeper, and Juventus survived what might have been a decisive blow. For the American international, the miss was a painful one, as Milan have been chasing top spot and could ill afford to drop points in such a crucial fixture.
Manager Stefano Pioli later introduced Portuguese star Rafael Leão in the 63rd minute, bringing him on for Mexican striker Santiago Giménez to inject pace and creativity into the attack. Leão immediately looked lively, using his trademark dribbling and direct running to test the Juventus defense. Yet, the Bianconeri stood firm, and Milan’s attempts to find a breakthrough faltered. As the minutes ticked away, both sides appeared more concerned with not losing than risking everything for victory.
The result leaves Milan in third place with 13 points, while Juventus, who have endured a mixed start to the campaign, sit in sixth with 12. The dropped points proved costly for Milan, who had been hoping to consolidate their place at the summit after an encouraging start to the season.
Elsewhere, the two teams who benefitted most from this stalemate were Napoli and Roma. Earlier in the day, Napoli came from behind to defeat Genoa 2-1 at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium, while Roma pulled off a similarly dramatic comeback in Florence against Fiorentina, also winning 2-1. Both clubs moved onto 15 points, sharing the lead at the top of Serie A after six rounds.
Napoli’s win was not straightforward. The reigning champions fell behind in the 34th minute when Genoa’s 18-year-old forward Jeff Ekhator stunned the home crowd with a well-taken goal, showcasing both composure and talent beyond his years. But Napoli responded strongly in the second half. Frank Anguissa, the tireless Cameroonian midfielder, levelled the match in the 57th minute, finishing off a sweeping move. Then, in the 75th minute, Rasmus Højlund brought in to strengthen Napoli’s attack delivered the decisive strike. His powerful finish not only secured the three points but also reaffirmed Napoli’s ability to grind out results even when not at their sparkling best.
Roma, too, displayed resilience in Florence against a Fiorentina side that had started brightly. Moise Kean put the hosts in front in the 14th minute, raising hopes of a home victory. But Roma quickly turned the game around through Argentine midfielder Matías Soulé, who equalized in the 22nd minute before turning provider just eight minutes later. His clever assist set up Bryan Cristante, the former Benfica midfielder, who calmly slotted home to give Roma a 2-1 lead. The Giallorossi then managed the game effectively, frustrating Fiorentina and holding on for an important away win that sees them join Napoli at the top.
The Serie A standings after this weekend illustrate just how tight and competitive the race is shaping up to be. With Napoli and Roma now leading on 15 points, Milan just behind on 13, and Juventus still very much in the mix with 12, the early part of the season promises an intriguing battle among Italy’s giants. Inter, Atalanta, and Fiorentina are also lurking, adding further unpredictability to a campaign that is already delivering drama.
The weekend also highlighted the different dynamics at play for each of the title contenders. Napoli, despite the summer changes to their squad, continue to show resilience and attacking depth. Roma, under José Mourinho, appear more confident and composed in big matches. Milan are still a work in progress, blending experienced stars like Leão with newcomers such as Giménez and Pulisic, but they will rue missed opportunities like the penalty against Juventus. And for the Bianconeri, Max Allegri’s side once again demonstrated defensive solidity but also the lack of cutting edge up front that has haunted them in recent seasons.
As the Serie A campaign moves forward, matches like Milan vs. Juventus underline how fine the margins can be in Italy’s top flight. A missed penalty, a single defensive lapse, or a moment of brilliance often decides the outcome. For Pulisic and Milan, Sunday’s draw will feel like two points dropped, but for Napoli and Roma, it represented the perfect opportunity to climb into first place.
