Tag: AC Milan

Pulisic credits Leao for standout goalscoring season at AC Milan

The USMNT star says his teammate requires plenty of attention from opposing defenses

Christian Pulisic believes his career-best goalscoring season at AC Milan would not have been possible if not for Rafael Leão’s presence.

With one game remaining, Pulisic has scored 15 goals in all competitions, 12 of which have come in league play. Both totals are career highs.

Pulisic has become a fixture on the right flank of Milan’s attacking setup, with Portugal star Leão usually lining up opposite Pulisic on the left side.

The U.S. men’s national team star has said that the attention Leão attracts from opposing defenses has led to numerous openings for him over the course of the season.

“The truth is that I’ve become accustomed to playing on the right, and I’ve been scoring goals thanks to a little secret: it’s called Rafael Leão,” Pulisic said in an interview with Il Giornale, transcribed by Sempre Milan.

“I’ve studied and understood how he moves. Usually, he attracts two or three opponents, so the defense is not so covered on the opposite side. Therefore, I can move towards the middle of the box and I am sure I will receive a perfectly timed pass.”

Leão has come in for criticism at times this season, as the 24-year-old has mixed in outstanding performances with matches that aren’t up to his high standards.

After scoring 15 times in Serie A last season, the Portugal international has only eight goals this time around.

Pulisic has defended his teammate, saying that he can sometimes be a victim of the high expectations he has created for himself.

Asked about fan criticism of Leão, the USMNT star replied: “Because they remember his best days and expect him to always be at his best, every week, scoring 50 goals a season! He and I often talk about this, and I can assure you that Rafa is the first to know and to strive to give more to Milan and his career.”

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Pulisic wins Gentleman Award for fair play during AC Milan debut season

The USMNT star has picked up another honor amid a standout debut campaign in Milan

Christian Pulisic has won the Gentleman Award for AC Milan, recognizing his professionalism on and off the field during his debut season for the club.

Pulisic was awarded the prize at the Premio Gentleman ceremony on Thursday night, earning another honor amid a career-best season.

The 25-year-old has been one of Milan’s best players in 2023-24, tallying 15 goals and nine assists in all competitions.

The Premio Gentleman awards were first handed out in 1996 as a prize for Inter and AC Milan players who demonstrated fair play on the pitch, and professionalism off of it.

Since then, the awards have been expanded to include more categories and teams in Serie A.

After he was handed the prize on stage at the ceremony in Milan, the U.S. men’s national team star spoke about his stellar debut season.

“It was fantastic, I’m very grateful for the opportunity to play for Milan,” he said. “I love the city, the team, it was a fantastic first year for me.”

Pulisic was also asked about becoming the first AC Milan midfielder since Kaká in 2005-06 to score more than 10 non-penalty goals in a season.

“I’ve seen the statistics. It’s nice to be associated with a player like that, a legend of the club. I really have to thank everyone if I’m part of that,” Pulisic said.

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Pulisic salutes Giroud after France striker confirms AC Milan exit

The pair spent three seasons as teammates over two different clubs

Christian Pulisic has paid tribute to Olivier Giroud after the striker announced he is leaving AC Milan.

Giroud confirmed the end of his three-year spell at San Siro, saying he was joining a MLS club ahead of a widely reported move to Los Angeles FC.

Pulisic and Giroud spent one season playing together at Milan, the second club at which they were teammates. The U.S. and France internationals also played alongside one another at Chelsea from 2019 to 2021.

After demonstrating real chemistry during their time at Chelsea, Pulisic and Giroud have continued that connection in Milan. Giroud has assisted two of Pulisic’s 15 goals with Milan this season, while Pulisic has provided the assist on three of Giroud’s 16 goals.

Pulisic assisted Giroud on May 5 against Genoa in what could be the striker’s final goal for the Rossoneri, unless he finds the net in one of the club’s final two games this season.

After Giroud announced he was leaving Milan on Monday, Pulisic sent a message via his Instagram story.

“Lucky to have graced the pitch with this guy,” the USMNT star wrote while reposting a tribute video from Milan.

Pulisic also participated in a tribute video from Milan featuring messages from many of the striker’s current teammates.

“I feel like I’ve learned so much thanks to you and we’ve had an amazing connection on the pitch,” Pulisic said.

Pulisic and Giroud will have two more chances to play as teammates. Milan faces Torino on Saturday and Salernitana on May 26 to wrap up a campaign that has already seen the club clinch second place in Serie A.

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Giroud confirms MLS move as striker announces AC Milan departure

The is set to join longtime international teammate Hugo Lloris with LAFC

Veteran striker Olivier Giroud has announced he will leave AC Milan to continue his career in MLS.

The 37-year-old has been reported to be on his way to Los Angeles FC, where he’ll sign after leaving Milan as a free agent at the end of the current campaign.

On Monday, the France striker made his Milan departure official in a video released through the club’s official media channels.

“I’m here to tell you the next two games will be my last for Milan,” Giroud said. “My career will continue in MLS.

“I’m very, very proud of everything I’ve done for Milan in these three years. It’s the right time to announce it. Sorry, I’m a bit emotional. My story with Milan ends this year but Milan will remain in my heart forever.”

Giroud is tied for fourth in the Serie A scoring charts this season, tallying 14 league goals for the Rossoneri. The striker helped Milan win the Serie A title in 2021-22, his first season with the club after joining from Chelsea.

With 57 goals in 131 caps, Giroud is France’s all-time leading men’s national team scorer. He is expected to be part of the team’s roster this summer for Euro 2024.

After that tournament, the forward is set to join longtime international teammate Hugo Lloris with the Black & Gold.

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Pulisic back scoring for AC Milan after Cagliari brace

Pulisic’s career-best season continued as Milan crushed Cagliari 5-1

Christian Pulisic is looking to end a strong first season with AC Milan on a high note.

The U.S. men’s national team attacker struck twice for Milan in a ruthless second half as the Rossoneri thumped Cagliari 5-1 on Saturday.

The double takes Pulisic up to 12 goals in Serie A this season, and 15 in all competitions. Pulisic’s first multi-goal game with Milan also broke a goalless run over the last month, with the Pennsylvania native’s last goal coming on April 6 in a 3-0 win over Lecce.

Pulisic’s total of 15 goals and nine assists is by some distance his best output over one season. His previous best, an 11 goal/eight assist campaign with Chelsea, came in the 2019-20 season. The output also represents the most productive first season at the club for any Rossoneri player since Carlos Bacca in 2015-16.

Sporting a “Harlow” No. 11 kit as part of a Mother’s Day celebration, Pulisic got the nod despite some rotation from manager Stefano Pioli, and though Milan held a 1-0 edge at halftime, those changes seemed to contribute to a flat performance.

A triple substitution during the break seemed to be just what the doctor ordered, as the Rossoneri upped the tempo to increase their lead.

One of the changes, Rafael Leão, pushed Milan forward after a backheel from USMNT midfielder Yunus Musah caught Cagliari off guard.

The Portugal winger raced into the visitors’ half before showing patience, waiting for Pulisic — who held his run for a moment before sprinting into a seam — before sending the U.S. forward through.

From there, Pulisic made no mistake, racing into the box before firing past a helpless Simone Scuffet.

While Cagliari would offer a quick response to make it 2-1, Milan proceeded to overpower the Serie A strugglers. Tijjani Reijnders’ brilliant long-range goal in the 74th minute seemed to break the will of the club from Sardinia, and the Rossoneri showed no mercy.

Leão would essentially walk a fourth over the line, while Pulisic’s fifth needed some help from goal-line technology.

Noah Okafor’s cross from the endline found Pulisic in a good position, but the latter’s low shot was initially not given, as Yerry Mina lunged in on the line for a possible block.

However, within a moment, referee Simone Sozza gave the goal, signaling that the ball had indeed completely crossed the line.

Watch Pulisic claim a brace vs. Cagliari

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Why Pulisic is wearing a jersey with ‘Harlow’ in AC Milan-Cagliari match

Milan’s No. 11 didn’t wear “Pulisic” on Saturday, but it was, in fact, still the USMNT star

It may not have looked like it on Saturday, but AC Milan’s No. 11 against Cagliari was, in fact, still Christian Pulisic.

Instead of his usual look, Pulisic, along with the rest of his teammates, wore his mother’s maiden name on the back of his jersey for the Serie A clash at San Siro.

That meant that Milan’s No. 11 was “Harlow” rather than “Pulisic” for one match.

On Mother’s Day weekend, Milan’s players took to the pitch wearing their mothers’ maiden names, in recognition of a court ruling in April 2022 that said an Italian law automatically giving a child their father’s last name was discriminatory.

Now, both parents have the right to choose which surname their children receive.

Pulisic’s teammate for club and country, Yunus Musah, also started against Cagliari, wearing “Abubakari” on his back instead of his usual surname.

“We are happy and proud of this initiative, born on a special occasion like Mother’s Day to raise public awareness about the equal right to choose the surname of one’s children,” said AC Milan CEO Giorgio Furlani in a club release.

“We are equally pleased with the attention and enthusiasm with which it has been welcomed by Lega Serie A and the participation of several other clubs in our league.”

Along with AC Milan, five other Serie A clubs participated in the initiative on Mother’s Day weekend.

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Pulisic shines as No. 10 but AC Milan throws away win vs. Genoa

The USMNT star did all he could to get his side a win on Sunday, but it wasn’t enough

Christian Pulisic did all he could to help AC Milan to victory on Sunday, but a shaky defensive display from the Rossoneri meant they had to settle for a 3-3 draw with Genoa.

Playing as a No. 10, the U.S. men’s national team star nearly scored in the first half before assisting what appeared to be a late winner from Olivier Giroud.

But a mix-up in Milan’s defense resulted in an own goal from Malick Thiaw that gave the visitors a share of the spoils.

It was an inauspicious beginning for the home side at San Siro, as a poor challenge from Fikayo Tomori gave Genoa a chance from the penalty spot within five minutes. Mateo Retegui made no mistake, giving Genoa an early lead.

Pulisic nearly equalized right away, curling a shot off the far post after some nice work inside the box to open up space.

The USMNT star nearly scored again before the break, drawing a great save from Genoa goalkeeper Josep Martínez with a drive from distance.

Pulisic would eventually get on the scoresheet after Milan fought back to tie the match 2-2, playing an inch-perfect cross to the back post for an unmarked Giroud to volley home.

There would be one more twist, however, as Tomori’s attempted clearance ricocheted off Thiaw and in for an 87th-minute equalizer.

Pulisic now has a career-high seven league assists this season to go along with a career-high 13 goals in all competitions.

For Milan, the club still maintained a five-point lead in second place after second-place Juventus drew Roma 1-1 later on Sunday.

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Pulisic pays tribute to Reus after Dortmund legend announces departure

The pair played together for three and a half seasons with the Bundesliga club

Christian Pulisic paid tribute to his former teammate Marco Reus on Friday, following an announcement that Reus would be leaving Borussia Dortmund at the end of the season.

Reus confirmed he won’t sign a new deal when his contract expires in June, ending a 12-year run with Dortmund.

The 34-year-old will leave as one of Dortmund’s all-time greats, saying he will seek out a new club rather than retire.

“I’m incredibly grateful for and proud of this special time at my club Borussia Dortmund,” Reus said in a club statement.

“I already know now that I will find it difficult to say goodbye at the end of the season. And yet I’m happy that there is now clarity and that we can focus fully on the very important final games that we still have to play.”

Reus will hope to sign off with a Champions League title, with Dortmund carrying a 1-0 lead over PSG into next week’s semifinal second leg in Paris.

Pulisic began his pro career with Dortmund as a 17-year-old during the 2015-16 season, and would go on to spend three more seasons with the German club before joining Chelsea in 2019.

In a post on his Instagram account, the AC Milan star shared the farewell video from Reus and wrote: “What a guy, what a player.”

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Milan TV pundit says Pulisic has been lacking in big games

Has the USMNT star gone missing in the biggest games? The record is mixed

Christian Pulisic has been accused of lacking in big matches during his debut campaign at AC Milan.

The U.S. national team star has enjoyed a standout season with the Rossoneri, setting a career high in goals with 13 while becoming an every-week starter under Stefano Pioli.

But according to pundit Luca Serafini of the club’s in-house television channel Milan TV, the 25-year-old could see his place eventually come under threat from Samuel Chukwueze.

Part of that, according to Serafini, is down to Pulisic’s lack of signature performances in big games.

“Chukwueze is in splendid condition at the moment, he is always decisive,” Sefafini said.

“It’s true that Pulisic has been lacking a bit in the big matches. From the point of view of his participation, and [Ruben] Loftus-Cheek, I would expect more in some moments. Pioli relies on his faithful at the moment. Chukwueze is a player of the future, when we said that certain players must be waited on it is true. He is proving to be worth the search last year and the money that Milan spent.”

Pulisic’s record in big games

With the USMNT, Pulisic has consistently delivered in big moments in recent years. His goal against Iran in the 2022 World Cup sent the USMNT to the knockout stage, and he scored a brace against Mexico in the 2023 Nations League semifinal.

Pulisic’s record with Milan in the biggest matches has been mixed. The Pennsylvania native went scoreless in six total league games against Inter, Juventus and Roma, as well as both legs of a Europa League quarterfinal exit against Roma.

The winger has scored against fourth-place Bologna in the league, as well as seventh-place Lazio. He also found the net in a decisive Champions League win over Newcastle to close out the group stage. Milan fell short of the knockout stage despite the victory, but did qualify for the Europa League.

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Pioli explains why Pulisic continues to keep Chukwueze out of Milan lineup

The USMNT star is still undroppable for the AC Milan coach

Samuel Chukwueze has been in improved form for AC Milan in recent weeks, but he still has a major roadblock to increased playing time: Christian Pulisic.

The American forward started Saturday’s game against Juventus, and wasn’t replaced by Chukwueze until the 83rd minute despite a subdued performance in a 0-0 draw.

Pulisic has been an ever-present in Pioli’s side this season, and has rewarded his manager with a career season that has seen him score 13 goals in all competitions.

Chukwueze, who like Pulisic was a summer signing prior to this season, has started his Milan career much more slowly, totaling just three goals and two assists since his move from Villarreal.

Though he’s been improved lately, the Nigeria international continues to see limited minutes.

Pioli explained his thought process in his post-match interview with DAZN on Saturday.

“I liked Pulisic instead,” the coach said. “Chukwueze is also doing well but at the moment, I won’t give up an extra midfielder to play with four attacking players and therefore, [Chukwueze] is the one who was sacrificed.”

Pioli has started Chukwueze and Pulisic together before, which has worked to good effect as the USMNT star has moved inside to play as a No. 10. Playing the right wing spot that Pulisic normally occupies, Chukwueze assisted a goal for Pulisic against Lecce earlier this month.

Against a stronger opponent on Saturday, though, Pioli wasn’t ready to play such an attacking lineup.

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