Christian Pulisic is likely to be AC Milan’s leading man tonight during the Supercoppa Italiana final against Inter, after he was against Juventus too.
Corriere dello Sport (seen below) reports this morning that Sergio Conceiçao will be able to rely on the most decisive man of Milan’s season so far for the final against the Nerazzurri, while waiting for Rafael Leao.
The American also found a way to have a big impact in the complicated match against Juventus on Friday night. Throughout the first half, Milan had found great difficulty in creating danger in Di Gregorio’s area.
Then, above all thanks to the mental and tactical shake-up provided by Conceiçao at half-time, the Rossoneri returned to the pitch with a different attitude. It was Pulisic who dragged them along, winning the penalty inside the final 20 minutes and converting it, sparking the comeback.
Pulisic knows how to be a leader, but in a silent way. He may not be the most vocal on the field, but the reaction after he scored from the spot shows the fire that burns inside the former Chelsea man. In many ways he is a reflection of Conceicao: few words, but when spoken they leave no doubt.
Without Leao (at least from the first minute at least), Pulisic is called to make the difference again this evening. He opened the scoring in the last Milan derby in September, weaving between defenders and finishing past Sommer.
In that match, which was later won by Matteo Gabbia’s header, Pulisic started on the right wing in Paulo Fonseca’s 4-4-2, yet the goal came from a central are. Tonight, he should start behind Alvaro Morata a 4-4-1-1, giving him licence to roam.
Milan under Conceicao is more interesting to see.
I really hope, that Milan win the supercoppa, not because as a fans, I want to see Milan lift trophy again, but also for the team spirit too.
It will be so interesting when see Milan play like they once before, under Ancelloti. How Milan competing with big clubs, such a dream.
The Chelsea attacker repeatedly eluded and frustrated a physical Portuguese defence
Christian Pulisic drew more fouls on Tuesday for Chelsea than anyone has in the Champions League since 2011, winning 11 free kicks in a 1-0 defeat that still saw the Blues move past Porto on aggregate.
The last player to reach that mark in the competition was Lionel Messi against Real Madrid in a semi-final victory a decade ago.
Who was Porto’s Coach for this game???????Sergio Conceica
Sérgio Conceição
Another former Porto player, Sérgio Conceição, was hired in June 2017. His team won the 2017–18 Primeira Liga, the club’s first honour for five years. He set the record for most games as manager of Porto, winning eleven honours including three league titles and the double in 2019–20 and 2021–22.
List of FC Porto managers – Wikipedia
That’s really interesting that Conc coached Porto for that game. I remember Pulisic won UEFA player of the match. He was everywhere. Probably left a real impression on Porto’s coach.
Nobody mentions that Chelsea-Porto UCL game. Orlando thanks for that! Pulisic was ground into the dirt but persevered. Pepe almost killed him! I hope we get THAT Pulisic tonight. That Chelsea team rallied around him that game and the rest was history. He did was needed to be done.