AC Milan was staring another disappointing Serie A loss in the race until Christian Pulisic helped spark a comeback victory.
Pulisic scored twice including the winning goal as the Rossoneri defeated Lecce 3-2 away from home. It was Pulisic’s first goalscoring performance since January 29 in all competitions.
Nikola Krstovic scored twice for Lecce to give the hosts a 2-0 lead early in the second half before AC Milan began its rally.
An Antonino Gallo own goal cut AC Milan’s deficit in half before Pulisic equalized from the penalty spot in the 73rd minute. The U.S. men’s national team star winger was hauled down in the box to earn the spot kick before calling his own number for the tying goal.
Rafael Leao set up Pulisic for the eventual winning goal in the 81st minute. Leao’s deadly pass allowed Pulisic to score into a wide open net for a 3-2 final scoreline.
It was Pulisic’s first brace since May 14, 2024.
AC Milan moved to eighth place following the result, snapping a four-match winless run in all competitions.
“It was a difficult moment for everyone, including me,” Pulisic said postmatch. “I always want to score but that’s not been the case lately. I am very happy to score today and help earn the win.”
AC Milan next hosts Como on March 15 before concluding the month’s schedule at Napoli on March 30.
Milan had 21 year old Bondo starting at the 6, & 19 year old Alex starting at RW. Both have started games before Bondo with 19. The coach rotated a handful of starters because Lecce has only won 6 out of 28 games. I think the coach underestimated the other team or at least thought his team would win no matter what starters he set up. The CBs Thiaw & Gabbia are the only ones interested in playing D. With Fofana, a part time 6, but moves like mobile CB, makes 3 players besides the GK, who actually put effort into stopping the opponent. Not complaining, just stating what I’ve been saying since the beginning of the season. Yes, goal differential is +10. Yet, the teams in Champions League spots have allowed under 30 goals while Milan has allowed 32. There’s too many players with offensive skill sets in Milan’s squad.
Pretty good performance from him overall. Good to see the confidence from the coach to keep him as the PK taker. Need more of that feim Puli as the season winds down.
Milan can be very frustrating. For most of the first half and a good part of the second, they dominated, but then gave up 2 fast break goals. Pulisic kept pumping in good crosses from the wing, but no Milan player could convert them. Only fitting that he scored the brace to win the game since so many of the other Milan players really didn’t do much. I have to wonder about their coach since their talent and depth seems like they should be doing better than they have been doing.
Their transition defense is flat out awful, and has been most of the year. Maybe some of it is they send both fullbacks forward constantly, leaving space in behind both sides, maybe too much for one Dmid to cover. So yeah, coaching.
I swear if it was CP passing to Leao they wouldn’t stop talking about the finish.
At least his teammates appreciated him. He was mobbed by most of the team after he scored the second of his goals.
You’re wrong.
Apparently you think “they” rate Leao over Pulisic.
Why you think that I don’t know.
The general feeling is that Leao and Theo are not going to be there next season.
Pulisic did well today ( Lecce is a godawful team) but it was notable because he’s been in a slump for awhile, awhile coinciding with Felix being around ( along with an unidentified injury).
When Felix plays he generally stays central and Pulisic moves to the right wing. It’s been shown that CP is most productive when he plays centrally. CP is now “healthy “.
So it seems like the “fab four” idea is not working out.
There is ONLY ONE “Fab 4”. Know that
TTX3,
You mean:
https://realtruck.com/b/fab-fours/?srsltid=AfmBOor93kPJowuTGy3dUISMV8C2_VvSG7V2YPro0sGw9fVjXtsJNo3N