Super Eagles winger Samuel Chukwueze finally broke his Serie A goal drought in an exciting league matchup against Hellas Verona, helping his team to secure a vital victory and thereby extending their lead over Juventus by three points.
The match saw the Nigerian score his first league goal since he moved from Spanish side Villareal.
The game unfolded with Milan asserting dominance early on, yet they faced stiff resistance from a resilient Hellas Verona side. Despite their relentless pressure, Milan struggled to break the deadlock until the 44th minute, when Theo Hernandez unleashed a powerful strike to give his team the lead just before halftime.
After the break, Milan continued their attacking onslaught, with Christian Pulisic doubling their advantage just five minutes into the second half. However, Hellas Verona mounted a spirited comeback, pulling a goal back through Tijjani Noslin in the 64th minute, setting the stage for a tense finale.
Super Sub Chukwueze secured maximum points
Milan coach Stefano Pioli in a bid to attack more and create some distance between the two teams made a decisive substitution, bringing on Samuel Chukwueze in the 73rd minute. The Nigerian who had been under pressure lately and faced criticisms for failing to deliver for the Milan-based side was eager to make an impact and he wasted no time in announcing his arrival.
With just five minutes on the field, Chukwueze seized the opportunity presented by a cleared corner kick, unleashing a sensational volley into the bottom-left corner of the net, sending the Milan faithful into a frenzy.
Chukwueze's goal not only secured the victory for Milan but also marked a significant milestone in his career, as he opened his Serie A goalscoring account in style.
‘I have waited for a long time’ – Samuel Chukwueze
The 24-year-old’s fine performances in Spain subsequently earned him a dream move to AC Milan for an initial fee of €20 million plus a further €8 million in add-ons. The transfer also came with huge financial gain, as the winger's gross salary was set at €6.5 million per year, according to Football Italia.
Speaking after the match against Verona, Chukwueze who is one of Nigeria's current highest-paid footballers with a net salary estimated to be around €5 million per year expressed his elation at finally breaking his duck in Italian football.
“I'm very happy, I have been waiting for this moment for a long time,” Chukwueze remarked. “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.”
Despite facing competition for a place in the starting lineup, Chukwueze remained determined and focused on his goals. He stated that delivering week in, week out for a big side like Milan wasn’t in any way easy.
“It wasn't easy, those who play in my position are doing very well and are scoring a lot. Of course, the coach cannot put these players on the bench. I continue to work hard, and today's goal is very important for my confidence,” the former Villareal attacker remarked.
Chukwueze also expressed his gratitude to the fans for their support and vowed to continue delivering for them. “Thank you, I hope to continue scoring for you,” he said, acknowledging the unwavering backing of the Milan faithful.
Samuel Chukwueze hopes to build on AFCON success with Nigeria
With the international break looming, Chukwueze's attention now turns to teaming up with his Super Eagles teammates in Marrakech, Morocco where the countries have lined up friendlies against West Africa rivals, Ghana and Mali.
Buoyed by his breakthrough performance, he is eager to carry his momentum into international duty and showcase his true qualities on the global stage.
Meanwhile, Milan's victory over Hellas Verona not only solidifies their position in the Serie A standings but also serves as a testament to their resilience and determination even as the Nigerian winger will be hoping to keep finding his way out of the Milan maze to achieve greatness with such an outfit with a rich history.
As the season progresses, the Rossoneri will rely on the collective strength and determination of their squad to maintain their momentum and achieve their objectives.
They'll bank on players like Chukwueze to help lead the team to what would be termed as ‘success’ come the end of this season.
