Christian Pulisic and AC Milan unable to defend Supercoppa Italiana as Napoli cruise to win in semifinal clash

SSC Napoli v AC Milan - Supercoppa Italiana Semifinal

U.S. international Christian Pulisic and AC Milan saw their Supercoppa Italiana title defense end with a 2-0 semifinal loss to Napoli in Saudi Arabia. Milan entered the match as defending champions after lifting the trophy earlier this year with wins over Juventus and Inter Milan, marking Pulisic’s first - and so far only - silverware with the club.

SSC Napoli v AC Milan - Supercoppa Italiana Semifinal

What happened

Milan had their moments in the first half against a Napoli team generally content to sit back patiently. I Partenopei, though, were the ones to break through, and they did so just moments after Milan squandered their own chance on the other side. After receiving the ball on the left-hand side, Rasmus Hojlund's ball across the box was parried by Mike Maignan. Unfortunately for Maignan, it went straight into the path of David Neres, who instinctively tapped it home to make it 1-0 in the 39th minute.

Hojlund was involved again for Napoli's second in the 63rd minute, only this time he was the goalscorer. The on-loan Manchester United man finished up a Leonard Spianzzola assist, effectively putting the game to bed.

Milan tossed Luka Modric into the fray shortly after, drawing applause from the Saudi Arabian crowd, but it was too little too late for Milan. As for Napoli, they'll face either Bologna or Inter, who face off on Friday for their own spot in the finale.

Napoli Milan Hojlund

The MVP

He wasn't credited with an assist for Napoli's first goal, but Rasmus Hojlund effectively made it happen to give his side the lead. He then went out and sealed the game with a goal of his own, earning clear Man of the Match honors while keeping Napoli's trophy hunt alive.

Hojlund's big game comes as Napoli's other big striker, Romelu Lukaku, returns from injury. The Belgian star was named to the team for the first time since undergoing surgery following an August injury.

SSC Napoli v AC Milan - Supercoppa Italiana Semifinal

The big loser

Milan's attack, in general, never got going. Pulisic was kept largely quiet, although the U.S. men's national team star did make some important passes that led to Milan's two best chances of the game. 

Christopher Nkunku, though, was somewhat wasteful, missing a very good chance in the first half just moments before Napoli's big goal. 

SSC Napoli v AC Milan - Supercoppa Italiana Semifinal

Match rating (out of five): ⭐⭐⭐