Serie A: Christian Pulisic Helps AC Milan Beat Sassuolo; Adrian Rabiot Hands Juventus Win Over Roma

Christian Pulisic ensured AC Milan ended the year on a high by scoring a second-half goal that secured a 1-0 home win over Sassuolo in Serie A on Saturday.

In the 59th minute, the American broke the deadlock by skilfully chipping the ball over Sassuolo keeper Andrea Consigli after receiving Ismael Bennacer’s defence-splitting pass.

Milan had two goals disallowed. The first came early when Olivier Giroud provided an offside cross to Bennacer and the second just after the half-hour mark when Rafael Leao’s finish was cancelled out for offside in the buildup.

Milan are in third place with 36 points, narrowing the gap to leaders Inter Milan to nine after they played out a 1-1 draw at Genoa on Friday.

Juve within two points of leaders Inter

Adrien Rabiot scored to hand Juventus a 1-0 victory over Roma on Saturday that saw the Turin club move within two points of Serie A leaders Inter Milan.

Rabiot struck in the 47th minute, while Federico Chiesa’s late goal that would have doubled the tally was ruled out for offside.

The victory leaves Juve on 43 points, just two behind Inter, who were held to a 1-1 draw by Genoa on Friday.

“It was a good game, because playing against Roma is never easy, especially when Mourinho is on the opposition bench,” Juve manager Massimiliano Allegri told DAZN.

“At this moment, I think we are in good shape physically, the last three days of training were good too and we had some impressive passing moves today.

“We gave the ball away a bit too often and need to work on that, but above all on the diagonal passes and how to play out from the back.”

“We talked about this before the game and we created really more than anyone expected against a defensive wall in Turin,” Mourinho told DAZN.

“I am very happy with the way we approached the game strategically, very happy with the character shown by my team, but it’s about points and we didn’t get the result.”

Roma are five points behind Fiorentina in fourth and in a fight to qualify for the Champions League.

“If we get there, it would be absolutely fantastic, considering our conditions and limitations. If you do not dream, you will never get there,” Mourinho said.

Champions Napoli are struggling down in eighth position following their goalless encounter with Monza.

(With inputs from Agencies)