Don’t look now but Christian Pulisic is finding his groove early in AC Milan’s season.
Pulisic scored the opening goal for the Rossoneri on Sunday in a 2-1 Milan Derby win over rivals Inter. It marked Pulisic’s third goal of the Serie A season, continuing a strong run of form for the U.S. men’s national team star.
Pulisic struck first for AC Milan after a superb individual effort.
The 26-year-old stole possession on Inter’s side of the field in the 10th minute before racing into the box and slotting home for a 1-0 AC Milan lead.
Federico Dimarco tied the match in the 27th minute for Inter, making it a 1-1 scoreline heading into halftime.
However, AC Milan would steal all three points at the death as Matteo Gabbia finished off Tijjani Reijnders free kick for a 2-1 winner.
Pulisic played 78 minutes in the match, completing two tackles, winning three duels, and making three defensive recoveries. He now has four goals and two assists in six combined appearances this season.
The result moved AC Milan to seventh place in the Serie A table, level on eight points with Inter.
Paulo Fonseca’s squad closes their September schedule on Friday against Lecce.
MotO,
As JR said, he’s an expensive decoy but a decoy nonetheless.
He’s not playing up to his reputation.
But he remains a proven difference maker and, unless he gets a lot worse very quickly, no team is stupid enough to ignore the threat.
“Get that money and invest in someone who brings it every game.”
They would be selling low and besides, no one , except for maybe Messi, brings it every game. It wasn’t that long ago that CP was seen as a useless POS.
There’s potentially more there for
Milan. I was screaming at the tv on a few occasions where CP was busting it, blazing down the middle in space on long runs into threatening positions and didn’t get a sniff from his team mates. Held the ball too long or dinked the ball harmlessly to the outside to Leao. So frustrating.
They need to sell Leao. He’s too inconsistent. He is holding the team back. The team would be nothing without Pulisic. The otherwise stand around waiting for some Leao magic. If he doesn’t feel up to it that game they lose or draw. He is sooo frustrating. Get that money and invest in someone who brings it every game.
Leao attracts the attention of the defense. Just by being on the field he relieves pressure from Pulisic.
MotO,
As JR said, he’s an expensive decoy but a decoy nonetheless.
He’s not playing up to his reputation.
But he remains a proven difference maker and, unless he gets a lot worse very quickly, no team is stupid enough to ignore the threat.
“Get that money and invest in someone who brings it every game.”
They would be selling low and besides, no one , except for maybe Messi, brings it every game. It wasn’t that long ago that CP was seen as a useless POS.
I think he has officially leveled up
again, gets the ball in a center MF type area, this time winning the ball on defense, straight to goal, finish. direct, goal-facing, athletic quick strike transition play, not stick him by the flag at wing and watch him pretend he is a messi who can juke a whole team out in half court defense.
re the “solo effort” comment, let’s not take that too far. both goals it’s ultimately 2-3 guys back once he’s on the run. an odd man rush is better. 3v3 is ok. 1v3 was more dramatic but i’ll give him this one. but that’s different than trying to break down an 11 man half court defense with everyone back. or when he’s trying to dribble down the chalk by himself against half the defense of a team like canada, just to progress out of half field.
He made the play from his RW position but since I doubt the Inter player can do a throw in 70 yards to his LB, Pulisic was shifted as he should be to the center of the field to mark the MF. Morata the #10 for ACM has won the header and Pulisic collects the ball in the center of the field. Abraham has drawn away one CB, he beats one DM to the ball and the other one tracked Morata. He has 3 defenders out of position and the other CB is slow to respond. The play happens and is successful precisely because he’s not playing centrally. If he’s the 10 he’s trying to win the header. You’re arguing against Berhalter’s rigidity which no one is arguing for, hence why he’s gone. The freedom to move and pop up in unexpected places is precisely how Pochettino has had his teams operate in the past.
Pulisic took matters into his own hands……and he has scored now in all of his last 3 games (AND THE LAST TWO WERE SOLO EFFORT GOALS). He was one of the only bright spots for AC Milan and was a handful for Alessandro Bastoni all game til he was subbed off.
Abraham has drawn away one CB and Morata does well to flick on the header so yes Pulisic does the heavy lifting, but with NT he also needs teammates willing to make runs and put in the effort to win the 2nd ball. At times that has been an issue and certainly was in this past lame duck window.
The work rate, speed, power to hold off the defender and ability to score that goal near post were all sublime
Reminding me of Post Covid Summer finish to the EPL Pulisic at Chelsea. 5g 2a in 11 matches all comps June to FA Cup final Aug 1. This looking to be even stronger.