Foot & Soccer Soccer Match Reports, Football News 
Since arriving at Milan, Christian Pulisic has established himself as a vital a part of the squad, with a number of managers counting on him as an irreplaceable determine. From Stefano Pioli to Paulo Fonseca and now Sergio Conceicao, the American has remained a fixed presence within the Rossoneri’s plans. In accordance with La Gazzetta dello Sport, Milan considers him a basic pillar of the squad and a participant to construct round for the longer term. His performances in his debut season justified this religion, as he rapidly grew to become one of many crew’s best attacking gamers.
This season, Pulisic has scored 12 targets in all competitions (six in Serie A) and supplied 9 assists (eight within the league), placing him stage with Tijjani Reijnders as Milan’s joint-top goalscorer. Given his contributions, Milan moved early to safe his contract renewal, guaranteeing each his dedication to the membership and his standing as a prime participant in financial phrases. The renewal sends a transparent message: “Pulisic feels at residence at Milan, and the membership has no intention of letting him go.”
Regardless of his total influence, 2025 has not been form to Milan or Pulisic. Whereas the Rossoneri received the Italian Tremendous Cup in January, their kind has dipped significantly since then. Nearly each participant has suffered a hunch, and the 26-year-old isn’t any exception. It’s no secret that the USMNT worldwide failed to attain in February regardless of taking part in 454 minutes throughout varied competitions, managing solely two assists in opposition to relegation-threatened Empoli.
His struggles grew to become much more obvious when he stepped as much as take a penalty in opposition to Torino, solely to see his shot saved. It was the primary time he did not convert from the spot since shifting to the San Siro, breaking an ideal streak in each membership and worldwide soccer.
Not simply goalscoring woes: Worrying pattern in makes an attempt at objective as nicely
Pulisic’s numbers this season are respectable, however a more in-depth look reveals a regarding pattern. As per The Athletic, his objective output has considerably dropped in latest months. Whereas he scored essential targets in Milan’s Italian Tremendous Cup run in opposition to Juventus and Inter, he has solely netted 3 times in aggressive matches since October 22. His final Champions League objective got here in opposition to Membership Brugge, and his solely Serie A objective since October 6 was a penalty in late January. Even that penalty failed to offer a much-needed confidence enhance.
Nevertheless, the American star’s dip in kind isn’t fully his fault. The Rossoneri’s fixed managerial modifications and tactical shifts have affected his position, forcing him to adapt to totally different taking part in types. Final season underneath Pioli, he discovered consistency for granted winger or attacking midfielder, the place he thrived within the half-spaces. However underneath Fonseca and Conceicao, his positioning has fluctuated.
The Athletic’s evaluation highlights this shift: In September, his best month, 34.7% of his attacking-half touches got here in central areas, whereas 48.4% occurred on the suitable. By February, nevertheless, these numbers modified drastically—simply 20.6% of his touches had been central, whereas 61.9% had been in broad areas. This has immediately affected his capturing alternatives, along with his pictures per 90 minutes dropping from 2.37 in December to simply 0.37 in February.
