Tag: Chukwueze

Renowned Italian sports journalist Fabrizio Ponciroli has blasted AC Milan coach Stefano Pioli over how he has played Samuel Chukwueze more often coming from the bench.

The Italian journalist expressed his displeasure with Pioli for bringing Chukwueze off the bench for cameo appearances when he should be starting games.

“I don’t know what Pioli sees in Musah, there’s Chukwueze in good condition and I don’t know why he never plays,” Ponciroli told TMW Radio.

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“I think Pioli has lost control of the situation. He was certainly convinced of these choices, it’s true that talking about them later is easier, but from before I already considered these choices to be wrong.”

Chukwueze has had to come off the bench 17 times already this season.

He has thus far scored three goals and made two assists since making the switch to AC Milan last year June.

Former Inter Milan and Lazio defender Daniele Adani has labelled Samuel Chukwueze as AC Milan’s best player in the two Europa League games against AS Roma, Soccernet.ng reports.

AS Roma sent Milan packing out of the Europa League after claiming a 3-1 aggregate victory.

Chukwueze featured for only the last 12 minutes as Milan stumbled to a disappointing 1-0 loss in the first leg at the San Siro.

In that short time, the Nigerian winger still made the biggest impact, creating one big chance that French forward Olivier Giroud wasted. Chukwueze also made two key passes, completed three of five dribbles, and won half of his six duels.

Following his excellent display in that encounter and Milan’s exciting 3-3 draw with Sassuolo, Chukwueze was expected to be named in the starting lineup for the return fixture in Roma.

However, Milan boss Stefano Pioli again preferred a front three of Rafael Leão, Christian Pulišić, and Giroud.

Still, Roma scored twice in the opening 22 minutes, and despite being reduced to ten men after just 30 minutes, they held on till the 85th minute when Milan grabbed their consolation goal.

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Chukwueze was introduced at halftime, and he took the next 45 minutes to grab one shot on target, attempt five dribbles while completing three, win four of six duels, and complete three of four long passes.

While Chukwueze could not help Milan avoid the loss, Adani is convinced that he showed better quality than all who started ahead of him in the Rossoneri eleven.

“The Milan players didn’t play a good game,” Adani said, as per Milan News.

“In terms of effort, they gave everything, but they didn’t do anything good. Roma did well from all points of view. Even with ten men, they had chances.

“If in the two games the best on the pitch was Chukwueze, who only came on in the second half in both games, and Pulisic, Giroud, Leao, Loftus-Cheek, and Theo gave these performances, Milan cannot think of beating this Roma. Milan missed the big players.”

Super Eagles striker Samuel Chukwueze has yet again been tipped to do greater things for AC Milan following his five-star performance in the club’s 2-1 win over Fiorentina in the Serie A on Saturday.

Chukwueze, who moved from Villarreal to Milan in the Summer, enjoyed a rare start from the wing ahead usual favourite, American Christian Pulisic, and the 24-year-old responded with aplomb as he tore through the opposing team to the delight of many.

Many Italian news outlets applauded Chukwueze’s creditable performance as SempreMilan awarded him an impressive 7 out of 10 in their players ratings for what was said to be ‘a very dynamic display’.

The tabloid went on to describe Chukwueze’s fitting performance against Fiorentina thus : “A very nice performance by the Nigerian, putting Fiorentina in trouble whenever he got on the ball. He was also involved in the first goal and perhaps should have had an assist when he set up Giroud early on. Something to build on for sure.”

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Recall that Chukwueze scored his first Serie A goal for the Rossoneri only last month when he came on as a second half substitute for Noah Okafor as he rifled home a lively volley to ensure Milan ran away with 3-1.

“I’m very happy, I have been waiting for this moment for a long time,” Chukwueze reportedly told DAZN. ”These first months have not been easy, but I have continued to work hard. It’s very important to win, but I also want to keep scoring to help my team, they signed me to score goals.

“I trust the manager and his plans for me, I just have to stay focused and continue with the hard work.”

His hard work seemed to be paying off as many established Serie A followers now reckon that the Nigeria international will do greater things for the Rossoneri, who coughed out a princely sum of €20 million plus bonuses of €8 million to lure him away from The Yellow Submarines.

Samuel Chukwueze’s goal against Hellas Verona last weekend provides a platform for him to turn his season around and ensure that AC Milan do not cut their losses in the summer.

As highlighted by Tuttosport (via Milan News), the Nigerian winger has had a very poor first season with the club and the fact he was the most expensive signing of the summer puts him in a very difficult decision.

Factors such as the Africa Cup of Nations and injuries have obviously counted against him, but the incredible impact of Christian Pulisic has also been a factor which is out of his control. The American has made himself undroppable and the plan was for the pair to compete for the right-wing spot.

Read Also: Serie A: Pioli  predicts  brighter Milan future for Chukwueze

There are already suggestions that Milan could choose to move on from Chukwueze in the summer whilst he still holds a good percentage of the value that he was brought for.

A player like Real Madrid’s Arda Guler could be an alternative and he has more time to develop, but Chukwueze’s goal against Verona on Matchday 29 gives him something to work with for the final two months of the season.

If he can show Milan why he is of use to the squad, he will be spared in the summer.

AC Milan coach Stefano Pioli believes  Nigeria  international  striker, Samuel Chukwueze,  is destined for greater  things  after scoring his   first Serie A goal for the Rossoneri  in Sunday’s  2-0  win against AC Verona.
Yesterday,  leading Italian  tabloid, La Gazzetta dello Sport,  noted that  the 24-year-old  for  Villarreal  winger  has the  potentiality  to score many more goals after finally  breaking   his duck in the Serie A where goals  are often few and far between.

 “Chukwueze scored just five minutes after coming off the bench against Verona and now it begs the question, will breaking his league duck finally open up a path for him towards a leading role?” the tabloid asked rhetorically. “The Nigerian scored the goal against Newcastle United away from home that completed the Rossoneri’s comeback and gave them access to the Europa League knockout round, so he has made valuable contributions already.”

Yet Pioli  has  defended  his ward , adding the  fleet-footed winger  is grappling  with the tough  demands of the Serie A even more so  after a ‘punishing’  African Cup of Nations (AFCON)  campaign  where he helped  the Super Eagles to a second place finish.

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“Those who come from a foreign league that is not the Premier League struggle more,” Pioli said of Chukwueze who  joined Milan from LaLiga side Villarreal during the 2023 summer transfer window for a deal worth €20m plus some substantial bonuses, which made him the club’s  most expensive summer signing. “He had some physical problems and his commitment in the Africa Cup of Nations. But he is settling in, he has talent and quality.”

Samu as Chukwueze  is called  abroad,  was equally effusive  with praises for Pioli.

 “Whoever plays in my role is scoring a lot of goals and Pioli can’t put him on the bench,”  he said in apt  reference to American forward Christian Pulisic who has seemingly  made  the  Milan’s left wing position his own. “I trust the coach and the plans he has for me, it doesn’t matter if I don’t play much. I will continue to work hard because it is to score these goals that the club hired me.”

Samuel Chukwueze hopes to score ‘more goals’ for Milan fans but is aware Stefano Pioli ‘can’t put on the bench’ Christian Pulisic, who has been impressive for the Rossoneri in 2023-24.

The Nigeria international scored his first Serie A goal on Sunday in a 3-1 win over Hellas Verona at the Stadio Bentegodi.

 “I am really happy. I’ve been waiting for this moment for a long time,” the Nigerian winger told DAZN as quoted by Milannews. “These first few months were not easy, but I’ve continued to work hard. Winning was important, and I want to keep scoring to help the team.

 “I must continue working hard because they signed me to score goals. I trust the coach and his plans for me. I just need to remain focused and continue working hard.”

Chukwueze was asked to describe his first months at Milan.

“They were not easy as who plays in my position [Pulisic] is doing well and scoring many goals,” he replied smiling.

 “The coach can’t put him on the bench, but I continue to work. Today’s goal means a lot to my confidence. I must continue to work and be focused on the future.”

Pulisic scored in Milan’s last four games including Sunday’s win in Verona. The USMNT captain has netted 12 goals across all competitions with the Rossoneri this term.

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Lastly, Chukwueze sent a message to Milan fans: “Thanks, I hope to score more goals for you.”

Chukwueze joined Milan from Villarreal in a €20m deal last summer, but prior to today’s match, he had only scored two goals in 22 appearances across all competitions. Both his goals came in Champions League matches, including one away at Newcastle in December 2023.

Pulisic, on the other hand, has already bagged 12 goals in 39 matches across all competitions, setting a new personal record for goals scored in a single campaign.

Super Eagles hitman Taiwo Awoniyi came on in the second half of Nottingham Forest 1-0 loss at the Amex against Brighton.

Awoniyi replaced Ryan Yates in the 72nd minute and couldn’t do much to stop the Reds from another league defeat.

n Italy, Super Eagles winger, Samuel Chukwueze was introduced in the 63rd minute as replacement for goalscorer, Christian Pullisic in AC Milan’s 1-0 victory over Tyronne Ebuehi’s Empoli.

The win shot the Rossoneri to the second spot with 59 points from 28 points while Empoli sunk to the 16th  spot with 25 points.

Ademola Lookman saw action for the final 33 minutes plus additional time as Atalanta got a 2-2 draw in Turin against Juventus.

The Zebras kept their European club competition ticket alive to remain sixth with 47 points while Juve dropped to the third spot with 58 points.

In Germany, Kevin Akpoguma got a rare start for Hoffenheim who were beaten 3-1 at Eintracht Frankfurt. Hoffenheim finished the game with nine men while Akpoguma also got a yellow card in the 57th  minute.

With the loss, Hoffenheim dropped to the seventh with 33 points from 25 games.

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In Turkey, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru was on for 90 minutes in Hatayspor 1-1 draw away to Kayserispor.

Super Eagles right back, Bright Osayi-Samuel replaced Mert Muldur in the 46th  minute of Fenerbahce’s 4-1 defeat of Pendikspor.

Osayi-Samuel’s Fenerbahce have moved within two points of Galatasaray who occupy the top spot. They have 76 points from 29 games and are second on the table.

Super Eagles defender, Kenneth Omeruo was on from start to finish as Kasimpasa beat Istanbulspor 2-1.

The win has taken Kasimpasa to the fifth spot with 43 points from 29 points.

In Scotland, Cyriel Dessers fired blanks but Rangers beat Hibernian 2-0 in the Scottish Cup to progress to the next round of the competition.

Dessers was on for 66 minutes before he was replaced by Kemar Roofe.

In Belgium, Tolu Arokodare and Yira Sor played some part as Genk pipped Standard Liege 1-0 at home.

Samuel Chukwueze has said that the Super Eagles are poised to beat Cote d’Ivoire in the Africa Cup of Nations final on Sunday in Abidjan and bring the trophy back to Nigeria.

Nigeria set up a final clash against the host nation after defeating South Africa 4-2 on penalties after the regulation time ended 1-1 on Wednesday at Stade Bouake.

Super Eagles suspended their celebration and returned to their training camp at Ecole Nationale de la Police, Abidjan on Thursday evening in preparation for the Sunday’s final. 

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Speaking after the training, the AC Milan winger said the party is over and they have shifted their focus on Sunday’s game.

He admitted that the game is not going to be easy but he is confident that his team is capable to lift the trophy on Sunday.

“We are not in the celebration mood but I think we are trying to recover for the game on Sunday against the host country in the final. It is not going to be easy and nobody told us it is going to be easy. I think I believe in this team. We have been fighting from the start and I think this is the time to bring the trophy back home,” Chukwueze said.

He added: “Actually, we have decided to do so many things and all of us have talked about it; the captain and the coach. The next thing is to start training towards it.”

AC Milan winger Samuel Chukwueze wants Super Eagles to take their last Group A fixture against Guinea-Bissau as their most important game of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations so far, Soccernet.ng reports.

Nigeria will trade tackle with Guinea-Bissau at the Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny in Abidjan on Monday with a qualification ticket for the knockout round on the line.

While the Djurtus are looking for their first-ever AFCON win, Nigeria can finish as group winners with any manner of victory as long as Equatorial Guinea do not beat hosts Cote d’Ivoire in the other group game.

“We played with our hearts (against Cote d’Ivoire). This game shows we are ready to fight for Afcon,” Chukwueze said.

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“This group is complicated but the most important game now is the last game. There is no small country in this Afcon and Guinea-Bissau are good. We’ve played them twice in qualifying and we lost one. We need to win the last game to top the group and ensure we qualify for the next round.”

Samuel Chukwueze’s AC Milan’s  team mate, Christian Pulisic, has voted the 2023 U.S. Soccer Male Player of the Year, for a record-equalling fourth time, the sport’s national governing body said yesterday.

The 25-year-old helped the U.S. to win the 2022-23 CONCACAF Nations League where he was named Best Player, and the winger has been in exceptional form since joining the Serie A side in July.

Pulisic first won the award in 2017, and has now equalled Landon Donovan’s record of four awards.

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“It’s an honour to win this award again for the fourth time,” Pulisic said.”It was an incredible season for me. I always enjoy playing with the National Team and winning more trophies with the National Team. Of course, coming here to AC Milan, it’s been just a really exciting year.”

Pulisic has scored six goals in 18 league games with Milan this season, and also scored in their Champions League win over Newcastle United, after struggling in his last season with Chelsea, scoring only once and making just eight league starts.

His Milan team mate Yunus Musah came second in the vote with 21.5%, with Pulisic receiving 53% of the votes.