Christian Pulisic illuminated the derby between AC Milan and Inter on Sunday night with his early goal, and it was his second in consecutive big games.
As La Gazzetta dello Sport write, the level of frustration Milan were experiencing before the derby was perfectly represented by Pulisic’s celebration after the first goal as he ran over towards the corner flag, shushing the Inter fans and letting off some angry shouts.
It wasn’t just a goal in the derby: it was a goal after six derbies lost in a row, a bad defeat against Liverpool and with a coach whose job was on the line. Pulisic didn’t end up getting the winner – that honour went to Matteo Gabbia – but he showed once again why he is a leader.
The paper adds that Pulisic has been amazing for a year straight, without interruptions. In 2023-24, the longest period in which he didn’t score a goal or get an assist was only five games, between mid-January and mid-February.
It is an impressive level of consistency that surpassed his peaks at Chelsea and even at Borussia Dortmund. In his first season at Milan he scored 15 goals (he hit 11 with the Blues four years earlier, his best tally), to which 11 assists were added. He contributed to 26 percent of the team’s goals for the season.
Given the transfer fee it was a gamble won by the Rossoneri management, because Christian improves month after month. He is self-confident, it is evident from the plays he makes, but also confident in his tactical intelligence that leads him to understand the best decisions to make in movement and finishing.
The goal in the derby was emblematic. First he stole the ball from Mkhitaryan, then he ran away from Calhanoglu, then he avoided Acerbi’s attempted block and finally he left Pavard behind him. It all seemed easy, obviously it wasn’t at all. ‘Like a hot knife through butter’ is how Milan described it on their social media.
With that derby goal, Pulisic has already reached four goals and two assists in six games this season: no player in Serie A has been involved in more goals since the start of last season: 31 (19 goals and 12 assists), equal with Lautaro (27+4). From the beginning of March onwards he has scored eight goals in the league, more than anyone else in the period.
Pulisic has been their most consistent offensive player for the better part of 1/2 a season. Leao may have more talent but he’s a petulant man-child at times. He should watch how Pulisic plays 2 way football.
Not sure how Leao is ‘petulant’ but he’s done more for Milan than most so show some respect.
Pure class.
He has been improving and gaining confidence, but I also liked what I saw from Tammy vs Liverpool and Inter (the only Milan games I have seen so far this season). With good coaching Tammy can achieve a lot. Hard working, fast and physically imposing. He has the potential to be even better than Thuram.
Leao can be frustrating – watching him play is like watching a coiled up snake ready to strike – but he tends to just want to wait and go in one direction – imagine if he back tracked with his speed – so so so many more recoveries Milan could have which would lead to so so so many more forward opportunities for Leao. He could cause a turnover to Hernandez and they could immediately counter together but he tends to stop and watch when ball is going the other way. Leao is a world class talent and his threat helps allows Pulisic freedom to wreak havoc on the right – But we want him to have 5 goals as well!!!
Pulisic is giving Milan valid reasons to cash in on Leao. Pulisic favored position is on the left so we would only need to find another right winger.
I am so sick of Leao’s attitude and lack of effort. He is lazy and he doesn’t work hard for the team. If any player that should be sold next summer it’s Leao and Ruben Loftus Cheek.
I would even say sell Theo too. Invest in quality replacement not underwhelming players. We should have enough budget to replace these 3 players with quality players and an another striker.
I always felt that this last summer was the right time to sell him. Milan could have done wonders with Albert who is playing for Fiorentina.
Albert has it, he can play centrally and go down the left as well. But l will not downplay Leao’s ball manipulation, he is levels above the rest of the left-wingers in Europe. But that isn’t good enough to be a starter in this team.
Saying all of that, Leao could have gotten a goal and an assist against Inter, He dribbled when he had to and passed the ball at the right time. So I would still applaud his performance. So it is still a two-way street in judging his performance. But that doesn’t change my mind about bringing in Albert Gudmundsson.
I would add that Morata, Tammy, and Leao, to have these three players in your forward line is imposing. I mean they are tall and very good at the technical side of the game. It can be frightening to go up against these three if they work as a unit.
Pulisic used to wear his emotions on his sleeve and show frustration when things weren’t working out. I prefer my players to keep their mean mugs throughout the match, cold as ice. Lately though, and it’s likely due to increasing confidence, he’s been powering through it. If you take the ball from Pulisic, he’s going to fight to get it back. If you take it from Leao, he’s going to shrink and shrug.
Pulisic can be absent from the score sheet, but you know he’s still going to be out there doing work. If Leao is absent from the score sheet, he’s just going to be plain absent.
And please don’t get me wrong. Leao is still young. He’s a known talent. You need his creativity and capabilities. He needs to learn from Pulisic’s growth however; and grow himself. Then there’s no limit to his potential.
What has he done? He’s a spoiled brat sell him.