The American midfielder's fine form across the first month of the campaign offers plenty of hope for Milan and USMNT fans, alike
It was the kind of goal Christian Pulisic doesn't score – but the exact one he should. Milan were up 2-0 against Lecce, yet hardly cruising. They needed a third goal to put their Coppa Italia tie to bed. The didn't craft the goal too well. Ruben Loftus-Cheek fed Youssouf Fofana, whose cross expertly evaded a wide-open Santi Gimenez.
And that should have been it. But Pulisic read the cross expertly. He dashed in front of his defender, and, as the ball skipped off the turf, hooked it beyond a stranded goalkeeper. Game, won. Last 16, secured. It's a new move for the American star, an extra move added to his game that has developed year on year. Since the start of the 2023-24 season, only Lautaro Martinez has more goal contributions than Pulisic in Serie A. This season, thus far, he is averaging just short of two goal contributions per 90 minutes.
Yes, it’s early in the season. Yes, Milan aren’t weighed down by European football. And yes, new manager Max Allegri has rotated with glee. But Pulisic is pacing this squad, enjoying the best start to a season of his career, and putting the memories of a beleaguered summer behind him.
Getty ImagesA strong start to the season
Context is vital here. Pulisic, he insisted in his self-titled PULISIC documentary, that he has always been up against it in Europe. The city of Milan and supporters love him, but they are also always ready to pounce. This is the problem with being Pulisic. American stars generally don't exist in Europe. Pulisic breaks that mold.
But that also comes with immense pressure, of course. The down periods at Chelsea were pretty heavy. He has been excellent – to various degrees – in Milan. Yet he still has endured his fair share of criticism in poorer spells. Last year, all said, was a bit mixed. Milan went through two coaches, and even if Pulisic managed to piece together another good season, he never quite took off in a way that he perhaps should have.
Enter a new year, and Allegri – in Milan for his second spell as manager. It was a puzzling appointment. Sure, Allegri has a winning pedigree, but Milan have a load of attacking footballers who like to be expressive with the ball. That's the manager's worst nightmare. This shouldn't work. And the former Juventus boss has done his best, at times, for it not to. He has been painstakingly conservative in some of his starting XIs to open the season. The absence of star Rafa Leao due to injury, to be sure, has limited his options here and there. But his insistence on playing a back five has limited attack somewhat.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesOff the bench, or from the start?
It is a good thing, then, that Pulisic has delivered. He started the first game of the season, playing up front in a maddeningly rigid 3-5-2 alongside Leao. It was a puzzling setup, especially against Serie B Bari in the Coppa Italia. But it was also effective. Pulisic scored and turned in an excellent 65 minutes.
Since then, he has been in and out of the starting XI – and quite comfortably been Milan's best player throughout. Allegri is still beta-testing here, figuring out the best combinations of players up front. He is, in some ways, spoiled for choice. Santi Gimenez has all of the tools of a complete forward. Christopher Nkunku is a second triker, the kind of reclamation project that Serie A is built off. And a fit Leao is among the best wingers in world football.
Pulisic's role, in theory, should be a clear starter. But Allegri insists on tinkering. It is a good thing, then, that Pulisic has made an impact whenever he has played. The American has started just three of Milan's six games thus far, playing in a variety of roles. He has scored in four of those appearances and totaled six goal contributions in 287 minutes. Those are elite numbers, the kind you'd expect out of a world-class attacking player.
Getty ImagesTactical versatility to benefit
It may seem confusing, in that light, to see Pulisic come off the bench. Why, if he is so effective, is Allegri not fully taking the handbrake off? There are numerous answers here. The first is a tactical one. Allegri is a systems guy. He will play a 3-5-2 to an absolute fault. There are no alternatives here. It doesn't matter that, for example, Milan's squad is far more suited to an orthodox 4-3-3 or 3-4-3.
That means it's tough to accommodate everyone. Gimenez is the only No. 9 in the squad. He also needs his fair share of touches to find form. He is a shoo-in due to his size, at 6-1, and potential – despite his challenges in actually finishing. That leaves four players fighting for one spot next to the Mexico international. And thus far, Allegri seems determined to give everyone a chance. The good thing for Pulisic here is that he's versatile enough to work in a variety of different configurations. Under previous managers, he has split time between left wing, right wing, and attacking midfield.
At times, he has played as a false nine – even if that is a misuse of his talents. Allegri, then, can sort of chuck Pulisic in whenever he wants, with whoever makes the most sense. That likely won't keep everyone happy – there are too many players here – but it should at least guarantee minutes.
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Getty ImagesRotation and load management
The flip side to that is Pulisic's legs remain fresh. Calling him injury-prone might be a bit harsh, but Pulisic has certainly dealt with his fair share of knocks over the years. This is a player, remember, who has been forced into minutes from a young age, brought in by Jurgen Klopp at Borussia Dortmund before he was perhaps truly ready for first team football.
Any time to rest, then, is ideal. Pulisic missed chunks of last season with calf and Achilles injuries. There has already been scattered talk of a knock holding him back thus far this year. And even if there are freak moments, it is unlikely that Pulisic will be asked to play through anything. More broadly, this is the reality of modern football. Milan don't have to worry about the intensity of playing in Europe, but they will play 38 Serie A games this year, and a good chunk of cup fixtures, too.
Expectations are high. Allegri is not a building manager. He is the kind of guy you hire if you want to win things. The expectation here is that Milan win the Scudetto. Anything less is a failure in the eyes of ownership and fans alike. The reason Milan are so deep up front is to suit a coach who likes to tweak – who to tweak – in order to be successful. Pulisic's legs, naturally, will benefit.