Christian Pulisic has been AC Milan’s stand-out player so far this season, and a report has suggested that he could be the answer to Inter having Lautaro Martinez.
This morning’s edition of Tuttosport (via MilanNews) has a piece titled: ‘Super Pulisic. Milan, here’s your Lautaro’. It praises the performance of the American winger, who has an impact on the Rossoneri’s goals very similar to that of Inter’s Argentinian striker.
Since the start of last season (from 2023-24), no Serie A player has taken part in more goals than Pulisic across all competitions: 33 (20 goals and 13 assists), equal to Lautaro Martínez (29G + 4A).
The Inter captain has had a hand in 33 goals (29 goals and four assists) while the former Chelsea man has been involved in 32 (20 goals and 12 assists).
Moreover, Pulisic has scored in each of the last three games for Milan and two of them were against Liverpool and Inter, proving that he can step up in the biggest occasions and lead the attack with his contributions.
It is understandable, therefore, that clubs are starting to take note and he has ended up in Liverpool’s sights to replace Mohamed Salah as per reports, in the event of the Egyptian’s farewell at the end of the season when his deal is currently set to expire.
May we will bring Salah as Chuku replacement to be deputy to Puli. APL fans didn’t see that coming? Hah
🤣🤣
Going to be an unpopular opinion
Super hot form yes. Answer to Lautaro no.
Alternative point of view:
Wasnt aware teams are so afraid of DiMarco and Dumfries they leave him they are willing to leave him alone and do what he wants. Teams do not want “Theao” doing what they do. Pulisic benefits from this directly.
If you look at the way teams set up when milan attack they shift to the right (look at the heat maps, go to a match in person, or dont only watch the ball on tv). Teams dont want to break their shape in the defensive phase (especially in Calcio). Once teams shift back to the center Pulisic struggles and tries to find spaces elsewhere.
That said, hes done very well at exploiting the open space and teams unwillingness to mark him. I’m very appreciative of his work rate and thats how he actually benefits his teammates.
He benefits from having 3 other attackers + theo who other teams cannot leave unmarked. He has even more space.
Theo, Leao, Morata, and Tammy dont really benefit from him being on the pitch but he certainly benefits from their combined presence.
Giroud benefitted because he one less man marking him. Now when teams defend Milan their entire left sides makes Theo and Leao. Who does that benefit?
Why let those others try to beat you from a momentary lapse when you can keep your concentration and shape and bank on Pulisic not completing the play.
Does McDonald’s make the best burgers now?
By far far the most popular and most sold in history so surely they have the best right?
Even though I dont like Fonseca and dont think he will last, I’m happy for the recent turn around in results and attitude.
Whether you agree or not doesn’t really matter. Considering the rebuild going on with other top teams in Serie A, this was a clear opportunity for the mgmt to jump out in front and assert some dominance. This team still has major major major holes that could have been plugged. And that hasnt changed.
Last I checked, Milan has had Theo and Leao on the left side for many years now. Surely Milan’s right wingers before Pulisic arrived also were allowed to have free runs at the goal and so they surely also matched the top contributors in Serie A, right? Because it doesn’t take elite ability to contribute at an elite level if the opposing defenses are paying attention only to Theao? Oh no, I guess not.
Spot on. Interesting no on replied to your post. If Leao keeping defenses busy is the key to right wind success, it would have happened before Pulisic. Also, many of Pulisic goals are incredible 1v2, and some times 1v3 efforts. This goes back to Chelsea as well. Just check the highlights there. Easy to see.
Not an unpopular opinion bro. Brilliant post. That attention to Leao and Theo you mentioned is often under appreciated in these parts. Prime example is during the derby no one talks about how Dumfries had to be anchored on the right hand side because of the threat of Theo and Leao. Dude couldn’t even move centrally to cover alongside Acerbic on Puli’s run. Go check the replay, dude couldn’t move and it’s really because of the threat allowing Puli to operate in space.
And I agree, good form but Lautauro was in a different sphere last year. I doubt Puli can replicate 24 goals but I really hope I am so dead wrong about it haha 😂 (I’m trying for the reverse commentators jinx here)
Haters gonna hate! Just enjoy our frontline for the joy it is to watch them and stop trying to tear our (or any) players down.
Solid observations for the most part Milanese, but “bank on Pulisic not completing the play”? He is a tremendous finisher.
“Since the start of last season (from 2023-24), no Serie A player has taken part in more goals than Pulisic across all competitions: 33 (20 goals and 13 assists), equal to Lautaro Martínez (29G + 4A).
The Inter captain has had a hand in 33 goals (29 goals and four assists) while the former Chelsea man has been involved in 32 (20 goals and 12 assists).”
What? So which is it? 20+13 or 20+12?
I think Pulisic has been tremendous this season. He’s just tremendous and it’s interesting seeing him have so much success at RW. I do think a big piece of it is the midfield can’t cheat to Puli’s side when Theao are on the opposite side, because anytime that crew is 2v2, a goal scoring chance is getting created. So Pulisic faces more of a soft help defense than a full doubling up, like Leao gets. And Puli has been making teams pay.
Part of his numbers this year are a result of getting more free kick delivery duties and getting to take PKs. Is he the designated PK taker now? If so, I do think he’s got a shot at 25 goals across all comps. He’s been ruthless in front of goal recently, showing the steady improvement in finishing he’s had over the last few years. His goal vs Inter showed off the best of new and improved Pulisic. 1. He still has the burst and dribbling skills that people loved from a young age. 2. He’s direct – he sees an opening and he’s going for it. 3. He has much better lower body strength, which he uses to keep from being muscled off. 4. His finish is non-traditional, but extremely clinical.
In addition, his defensive skills and tracking back have been very strong, much better than average for a winger. Maybe that time playing WB for Chelsea is paying off.