In Allegri’s 3-5-2 the American is free to move more often to the left and strike. The 9 goals in 12 games are proof of this
We have never seen him so strong. Christian Pulisic has always been a superhero – Captain America -, but in career it hadn’t yet happened to him that he scored a goal every 64′dragging his team to first place in the standings. If Milan is up there, arm in arm with Napoli, there is a lot of credit to Chris. And also of those who are making sure to enhance its strengths even more. The teammates obviously, but above all Massimiliano Allegri. In two years in Italy we had appreciated the right wing Pulisic, capable of darting and running up and down the wing. In Max’s 3-5-2, however, the American plays “less”, but is dramatically more incisive in front of goal. The 7 goals in 9 championship games, which becomes 9 in 12 also considering the Italian Cupare direct testimony to the change of pace.
tactics
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Pulisic second striker, but also from right to left. Just look at the heat maps on ball touches from the last championship and the current one. In 2024-25, on the right in the trident, he obviously moved on the wing. But in 2025-26, despite a two-man attack, he doesn’t play that much more advanced. Rather, he touches the ball moved to the left, almost returning to his origins. In fact, at Borussia Dortmund, in the national team and at Chelsea he often received the ball from the left winger, so that he could concentrate on finishing on goal. Of course, the fact that he has practically never been on the pitch at the same time as Rafa Leao has an impact. The Portuguese also likes to start from the left, although in his new role as centre-forward he is less inclined to go wide. Christian, on the other hand, has more freedom to choose where to move and hit from the shoulder. And never mind if the numbers of passes, crosses, dribbling, fouls conceded and even recoveries have dropped compared to the past. Pulisic today is less at the heart of the maneuver, but decidedly more lethal. A killer when it comes to putting the ball in the net: the seven goals in the league came with just 14 shots, ten of which were on target. “When Chris shoots, the goalkeepers play like hell,” declared Allegri’s deputy, Marco Landucci, who was number one as a footballer in the 1980s and 1990s. Probably also because he manages to conclude more lucidly, without having to squeeze himself into construction first.
decisive
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The American was then stronger than his injuries (the last one had caused him to miss the home match against Lazio) and, in Turin, also the fever that had tormented him the days before. In the two previous years at Milan he had always done well, but in this third season he added a quality that often divides excellent players from champions: the ability to be decisive in the most important moments or in those when the team really needs it. Pulisic scored victories in big matches against Napoli and Inter, before overturning Turin when the Rossoneri were in trouble, after finishing two goals down. No one in Serie A has such a decisive player, who among other things can focus exclusively on the championship, not having to squeeze himself into the Cups as well. Important detail, which could make the difference between now and May.
hot summer
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The season with Milan will then lead to a historic event for the United States, with the World Cup to be played at home for the second time in history. An appointment that Chris, as captain of the Stars and Stripes national team, obviously cares a lot about. It will be an adventure to be enjoyed to the fullest, but first we have to think about the Devil, with whom, in addition to the goal of returning to the Champions League and, who knows, aiming to win the first championship in his career, there will also be the future to discuss. Pulisic’s contract expires on June 30, 20207, even if there is a (obvious) option for a further year in Milan and the intention is to extend the coexistence for at least another two seasons, with a consequent increase in salary.
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