Returning to the starting lineup, the American winger scored two goals and assisted Fofana, bringing his season tally to three, on par with Marcus Thuram. There`s little doubt about his key role. Later, he boosted Gimenez`s morale with a thoughtful remark after being substituted.
Christian Pulisic celebrates scoring for AC Milan against Udinese.
Straight from Hershey, Pennsylvania, the home of chocolate and Christian Pulisic, `Captain America` delivered another sweet performance. Back in the starting XI after two games, CP11 showcased his signature consistency. Despite Udinese`s physical approach, which saw him endure multiple fouls from Kristensen, Ehizibue, and Zarraga, Pulisic consistently rose to his feet. He was instrumental in Milan`s victory, bagging two goals and an assist on Udine`s challenging pitch.
Top Scorer Status
Two statistics highlight Pulisic`s profound impact. He is the only player to have recorded 25 goals and 15 assists in the last three Serie A seasons. Across 105 total appearances for Milan, he has contributed a remarkable 36 goals and 24 assists. Simply put, he directly influences the score sheet in approximately one out of every two matches. For now, on this September Saturday evening, he stands as the league`s joint top scorer with 3 goals, matching Marcus Thuram. This stellar performance comes as a belated birthday gift, as CP celebrated his 27th birthday just two days prior.
His Impact on the Game
Pulisic`s ability to maintain an exceptionally high level of performance in diverse situations is truly remarkable. During periods when Milan struggled under various coaches like Pioli, Fonseca, or Conceição, he often served as the team`s anchor, carrying much of the creative and offensive burden, sometimes alongside talents like Reijnders or Leão, and at other times, almost single-handedly. Now that Milan is finding its rhythm, CP continues to elevate the team by adding pace, unparalleled quality, and crucial goals. In Udine, he displayed excellent reactivity, seamlessly integrated with his teammates, and consistently positioned himself in prime scoring opportunities against Sava. Notably, he even earned a penalty during the decisive build-up to Fofana`s 2-0 goal. One might even speculate that he thrives even more effectively within Allegri`s proposed 3-5-2 formation than he does in a traditional wide attacking role.
Post-Match Reflections
Speaking to Sky after the match, Pulisic candidly commented: “I took a lot of hits, but I`m fine. We are very solid defensively; with five defenders, we`re doing very well. We have a great team, and now it`s important to find consistency and perform well game after game.”
Pulisic, the Psychologist
Finally, there`s a heartwarming anecdote, a bonus track much like on a classic album. Christian left the field alongside Gimenez, who was visibly more dejected after yet another goalless night. Pulisic, having just delivered a match-winning performance, could have easily celebrated with his teammates, taken in the roaring atmosphere, and basked in his triumphant evening. Instead, he approached Gimenez and offered a sincere apology, saying, “I am sorry,” for a pass that didn`t quite reach its target in a play where `Bebote` (Gimenez`s nickname) might have broken his scoring drought. This profound display of empathy and team spirit is precisely why finding someone who speaks ill of CP11, or pinpointing a genuinely poor performance from him, is exceedingly rare.
