Christian Pulisic is eyeing his first goal of 2026 as AC Milan are up against Cremonese away from home today, in need of Captain America’s heroics.
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Pulisic is now desperate to end his goal drought, as pointed out by Gazzetta dello Sport (see image below), as he’s been without a goal since December 28. In other words, he hasn’t scored in 2026 and this hasn’t just affected him, but rather Milan as a team.
In his first eleven league games this season, the American found the back of the net eight times, but he now hasn’t scored in his last eight. Hopefully, his improved physical condition means he can break the drought once and for all today against Cremonese.
No rest days for Puli
In these two months without a goal, Pulisic has been on the receiving end of bad luck with both fever and above all a long-standing issue with iliopsoas bursitis. Yet, the former Chelsea player has never publicly emphasised the sacrifice made to get back at Allegri’s disposal.
The key can be found in the number of rest days. In the last month, Pulisic was always at Milanello even when his teammates had 24-48 hours off, working with the physios and medical staff to maximise the recovery.
While some have suggested it, the No.11 certainly isn’t thinking about being fit for the World Cup in this moment, solely focused on doing his best for Milan after a disappointing time lately. Especially since he missed a few good chances in the last few weeks.
Two uncharacteristic misses from close range against Fiorentina, a goal disallowed against Genoa for handball, and a 1v1 with the keeper (or rather, an open net) missed against Parma. In short, he knows himself that he can do even better.
Redemption in sight
Today at the Zini Stadium, Christian will play alongside Rafael Leao again. So far, they have on the pitch together for 377 minutes, scoring two goals. In Allegri’s mind, they were supposed to be the key duo for the team, but that hasn’t happened for various reasons.
Injuries are to blame for most of it, in truth, as the stat on minutes played together certainly highlights. Now, Allegri is hoping that Milan have put the bad luck behind them and that the two forwards will get back to doing their job against Cremonese.
“He’s grown physically and mentally. I’m sure he will score again,” Allegri said about Pulisic yesterday.
Contract lies making the rounds
There have been many reports on Pulisic’s contract in recent weeks but as the pink newspaper makes clear, the goal drought has nothing to do with it. Captain America is happy in Milan, he’s involved in the project, and in the locker room he feels appreciated and respected by his teammates.
If a new, longer contract wasn’t signed a year ago (the current on expires in June 2027, with an option for another year), it’s because Christian didn’t consider it a priority at the time. However, the dialogue between the parties has never broken down, and relations are good.
Everyone involved in this matter is convinced that, with Champions League qualification secured, everything will be fine. Meanwhile, Pulisic wants to remove zero from his goalscoring record for 2026…