AC Milan’s woes proceed as Pulisic palms penalty to Gimenez, who misses in loss to Napoli

After a promising begin to 2025, AC Milan’s struggles have resurfaced, falling wanting the expectations set initially of the 2024–25 season. Their ongoing woes had been on full show in a 2–1 defeat to Napoli, the place a missed penalty by Santiago Gimenez — handed to him by Christian Pulisic — grew to become one of many sport’s turning factors.

Milan traveled to the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium for Matchday 30 in Serie A, hoping to spice up their European qualification hopes. Nonetheless, they shortly fell behind, with Napoli leaping to a 2–0 lead by the nineteenth minute.

Within the second half, a second of controversy emerged when referee Simone Sozza awarded Milan a penalty following a foul by Philip Billing on Theo Hernandez within the field. Though USMNT star Christian Pulisic is Milan’s designated penalty taker, he selected handy the chance to Gimenez as a substitute.

The Mexican striker stepped up within the 69th minute seeking to minimize the deficit in half, however Napoli goalkeeper Alex Meret guessed accurately and saved the low, pushed shot. Minutes later, supervisor Sergio Conceicao changed Pulisic with Luka Jovic, who managed to drag one again — although it wasn’t sufficient to salvage a outcome.

The choice to let Gimenez take the spot kick raised eyebrows, particularly contemplating a earlier incident. In Milan’s 2–1 loss to Torino final month, Pulisic missed a penalty, and reviews prompt stress between him and Gimenez over who ought to take it. This newest second reignited considerations over Milan’s penalty technique.

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Milan’s penalty struggles in Serie A

Penalty kicks are sometimes seen as golden alternatives — statistically, round 75% are transformed, whereas 17% are saved, 4% go extensive or over the bar, and a couple of% hit the woodwork. But, for AC Milan, penalties have turn into a recurring drawback this Serie A season.

Of the eight penalties awarded to Milan to this point, solely half have been transformed — a regarding charge for a membership aiming to compete on the high. Christian Pulisic has scored three, and Tammy Abraham has added one. Nonetheless, expensive misses from Pulisic, Abraham, Theo Hernandez, and now Santiago Gimenez have uncovered a deeper concern.

The shortage of a constant and assured penalty taker has turn into symbolic of Milan’s broader struggles. For a squad stuffed with attacking expertise, such inefficiency from the spot has straight impacted outcomes and raised questions on management and decision-making in essential moments.