Christian Pulisic proved just how important he is for AC Milan against Udinese last night, involved in every goal after reclaiming a spot in the starting eleven.
As highlighted by Gazzetta dello Sport (see photo at the bottom), with three goals in four games, Pulisic’s numbers can be compared with a true centre-forward. It’s safe to say that the second striker role has worked well for the No.11 so far, who was the undisputed MOTM vs. Udinese.
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After making himself available everywhere on the edge of the box, Captain America is now Milan’s top goalscorer, asserting his bomber status. And to think that, according to the club’s official website, Pulisic is one of eight midfielders in the squad…
Quality prevails
In Udine, it was a tough start for Pulisic (somewhat expected, though) as the Udinese defenders targeted him. Once, he was even left on the ground in pain which forced the medical staff to come on, with some worries about whether or not he would be able to continue.
Thankfully, quality prevailed in the end, as Pulisic scored the first goal after capitalising on the goalkeeper’s rebound. He also scored the third goal, the one that sealed the game, and the second goal was created by him.
He was brought down in the penalty area by Jesper Karlström, having won back the ball, and it would’ve been a penalty if Youssouf Fofana hadn’t picked out the back of the net. In short, he was involved in everything.
An undisputed tally
Pulisic’s goalscoring tally is now at 36 after 105 games, which is an average of one goal every three games. It’s also his best start to a season with Milan, despite two positive starts prior to this one: two league goals in his first season, two goals with an assist in the following season.
In his third season, this one, with three goals and an assist, he has managed to do even better. In fact, he became the first player to have scored at least 25 goals (26 for him) and provided at least 15 assists (18) in the last three seasons in the top flight.
Pulisic is a goalscorer, a leader, and a player who does three things on his own: he makes sure Rafael Leao’s absence isn’t missed, replaces the generous but ineffective Santiago Gimenez among the scorers, and gives Nkunku plenty of time to find his best form.
No stopping him now
For the third goal, his second, Pulisic was inspired by a pass from Rabiot. And during the match, Modric was constantly pushing forward. In short, this is a Milan side with a very high level of technique.
Game after game, the Rossoneri’s league schedule now features Napoli and Juventus, with the Coppa Italia against Lecce on Tuesday. Pulisic could rest during the week to be fresh for the weekend, when he will be looking to make a difference again.
Finally playing closer to the goal and not wasting time on the wing. He can score 20+ goals every season. He isn’t any worse than Julian Alvarez for example, and that guy is a 100M€ striker (or was).
Been following Pulisic for 5+ years and never had thought of him playing as a withdrawn striker. (That’s why I’m not a Serie A or EPL coach). He’s been on the wing for the US, and played a bit deeper as a CAM.
Great to see him flourishing, admittedly with the strongest midfield he’s ever had behind him. He can now focus on running into open spaces and dragging defenders away or coming back to the ball from the weak side, as he did for both of the team’s 3rd goals against Udinese and Lecce.
It will be interesting to see how Allegri works Leao back into the starting lineup once the latter is fit. Giminez sadly will be the lone man out. I can see Leao-Nkunku, Leao-Pulisic and Nkunku-Pulisic as rotating combinations.
Milan’s got too strong a midfield to worry about having a natural striker.
Either Tare is a genius or he lucked out by not getting a true #9 during the mercato.
He now has the most goal contributions in Serie A the last 3 seasons
Milan need to game plan against the “cheap shots” that will be targeted to Pulisic and ensure that for every extra heavy foul he receives Milan reciprocates against the opposition’s forward(s). For Milan to compete for the Scaduto we need him fit and playing. As stated before, Leao is the most gifted player, Modric the most valuable but Pulisic is the most important. In prior games Modric had no one to link with until Pulisic came on in the second half. He must be protected against physical assaults intended to remove him from the match.