Christian Pulisic was voted by the AC Milan fans as MVP from the win against Slavia Praha last night, and it feels fitting after another positive performance.
As MilanNews writes, in a game where objectively the team did not shine and where in the first part of the match it was the away side who created the best opportunities, it was Pulisic who drew a reckless challenge from Diouf that resulted in a red card.
From there the equation became a lot more simply, even if there were difficulties along the way, and in the final minutes of the game the winger got his name on the scoresheet with a tap-in after brilliant work from Rafael Leao.
Six nights earlier at the Stadio Olimpico, in a match that against Lazio seemed destined to remain deadlocked, the American induced Luca Pellegrini to be sent off in a controversial incident that saw him receive death threats.
Pulisic has had a great impact so far since his arrival at Milan, and last night’s MVP award was far from his first. In fact, the former Chelsea man was MVP of the month of August and was also voted best player of the month of December in Serie A.
With nine goals scored and seven assists in 36 games played, Pulisic has been a reliable contributor. His goals often result in points too, such as his late winner at the Marassi against Genoa, the only goal of the game against Sassuolo plus the two openers against Torino and Lazio at home.
Returning to Europe, the 25-year-old bagged the goal against Newcastle was fundamental in a very complicated moment of a match in which Milan looked down and out of everything. Samuel Chukwueze then got the winner, which made a night like last night even possible.
I’m loving Puli’s killer instinct even when it occasionally involves forays into the dark arts. Not always pretty, but necessary. Every team needs guys who can find a way to win on days when things aren’t flowing easily. Pulisic has been the guy willing to deliver the deadly blows no matter what it takes.
There will be days when beauty will return. For now, he delivers on guts. Hopefully he’ll improve on his one on one isolations. I think he will.
Serie A seems to be a very tough league for doing one v ones successfully. Even Leao loses the ball more often than not. Chukwuese of course, loses the ball practically all the time
That’s a strength of Pulisic’s that often goes unnoted. If he is being well-defended he may not do the great man-beating isolation, but he also doesn’t usually hurt the team by losing the ball or forcing things. He dishes off, cuts his losses, and lives to fight another day. Decision-making is an important skill and he often makes decisions that help the team rather than forcing things.
Love that analysis. Particularly w how porous the back line has been.
Oh no! The Chelsea rejects are scoring and actually helping the team???
MEEZ will have a heart attack…. Please don’t tell him. Poor guy.
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