Pulisic Shines as Captain and Scores in Milan Return

Christian Pulisic’s comeback for AC Milan took center stage as the USMNT star wore the captain’s armband and found the net in a 3-2 friendly loss to Virtus Entella, marking an important step in his injury recovery.

Christian Pulisic Leads AC Milan in Friendly Return

Christian Pulisic returned to AC Milan’s starting lineup in a club-organized friendly against Serie B side Virtus Entella, immediately making an impact with a goal. The match was designed to assess Pulisic’s fitness following his recent hamstring injury, and the American winger did not disappoint, showing sharpness and confidence on the ball. His involvement as captain highlighted his growing influence within the squad.

Pulisic’s Injury Recovery and Decision to Skip USMNT Duty

After suffering a hamstring injury during international duty with the USMNT in October, Pulisic was left out of recent national team selections following an agreement between AC Milan and the US federation. This approach allowed Pulisic to focus on rehabilitation and regain match readiness without the added strain of transatlantic travel. With Milan’s medical and coaching staff overseeing his recovery, Pulisic spent two weeks training before making a brief Serie A return as a substitute against Parma.

Friendly Match Recap: Milan Fall to Entella

The friendly clash began with Milan taking the lead through Pulisic’s well-timed finish, but defensive errors undid their progress. Virtus Entella quickly equalized after a mistake from Youssouf Fofana. After halftime, Milan regained the advantage thanks to a combination from Chaka Traore and Emanuele Borsani, but another lapse at the back—this time from Ardon Jashari—let Entella level the score. In the dying minutes, Entella capitalized on Milan’s defensive frailties to secure a 3-2 victory.

Pulisic’s Growing Role Under Allegri

Despite the friendly defeat, Pulisic’s performance underlined his growing importance to Milan boss Massimiliano Allegri. Deployed as a supporting striker in the 3-5-2 system alongside Santiago Gimenez, Pulisic’s tactical intelligence, movement, and ability to link play have become vital to Milan’s attacking rhythm. His vision to find pockets of space, combined with his dribbling and quick transitions, consistently helps break down organized defenses.

Recent Serie A matches have seen Pulisic produce both goals and assists, such as his clinical finish against Udinese and his creative setup for Alexis Saelemaekers. His two-way contribution—tracking back to support the midfield and fullbacks—demonstrates his commitment and tactical discipline, making him indispensable in Allegri’s system.

Expert Endorsements and Leadership Potential

Milan legend Marcel Desailly has praised Pulisic’s development, emphasizing his potential to be a key leader provided he remains injury-free. Desailly noted, “He has amazing talent and is one of those players you expect to drive the team’s offensive animation.” With the captain’s armband in this friendly, Pulisic signaled his readiness to take on a larger leadership role as he gains consistency.

AC Milan Use International Break to Regroup

The international break came at an opportune time for Milan, allowing not only Pulisic but also teammates like Adrien Rabiot and Santiago Gimenez to recover full fitness. Allegri can utilize this period to fine-tune tactics and prepare his best XI ahead of a crucial post-break fixture against Inter. With players returning from injury, Milan aim to hit top form in the intense Serie A run-in.

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Opinion: Pulisic’s Leadership Could Redefine Milan’s Season

Pulisic’s determination and on-field intelligence have made him a cornerstone for Milan. By managing his recovery with care and entrusting him with leadership responsibilities, Allegri is building a side that can rely on both his creativity and discipline. If Pulisic remains healthy, he could spearhead Milan’s push for silverware and cement his status as a leader in both club and country.