Christian Pulisic tallied yet another set of goal contributions for AC Milan in the Rossoneri’s away defeat against Monza in the Serie A on Sunday.
The American started the game on the bench for the first time in a league match since Oct. 7 but was substituted onto the pitch at the start of the second half after Milan conceded two goals just before the break.
Unfortunately for Pulisic and his efforts to turn the game around for the club, Milan went down to 10 men after Luka Jović received a red card just seven minutes into the restart.
The bad boys of Serie A
AC Milan see their SIXTH red card of the season after Jovic hits out at a Monza player pic.twitter.com/AKwwaAVKFj— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) February 18, 2024
Two goals and with a man down.
Despite the handicap, Captain America was going to make sure his team didn’t leave the Brianteo Stadium without a point.
Just 10 minutes after conceding the red card, a cross into the box, brilliantly flicked by Pulisic to Olivier Giroud, cut Milan’s deficit by half.
Two goals and a player down, Giroud gives AC Milan hope pic.twitter.com/EnORlOu1Rd
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) February 18, 2024
This was the American’s first goal contribution since January and quickly showed his importance and proved his undisputed spot in the Italian giants' starting XI.
Goal and all, Milan’s hopes to put the game level were scarce, with much of the offense’s efforts ending in constant clearances by a compact Monza defense. A Monza defense only Pulisic could break.
In the 88th minute, CP11 received the ball at the edge of the box, cut inside and hit a perfect weak-footed strike that miraculously put the game level. Take a bow, Puli.
CHRISTIAN PULISIC GOLAZO TO BRING MILAN LEVEL LATE pic.twitter.com/S5PT1TxxC1
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) February 18, 2024
This was the USMNT captain’s 15th goal contribution for Milan this season, closing in on his highest total ever of 19 goal contributions for Chelsea in the 2019/20 campaign.
This was the American's fifth time coming off the bench and providing a goal and assist in the same game — two more than any other player in Europe since his debut.
5 - Christian Pulisic has come off the bench to record a goal and an assist five times in his career, two more than any other player in the top 5 European leagues since his debut in 2016 (Pablo Sarabia, Thomas Müller - 3 each). Specialty. pic.twitter.com/FlZFAzRGqj
— OptaJack⚽️ (@OptaJack) February 18, 2024
The game was level thanks to Pulisic, and Milan looked to have salvaged a point that felt like it was worth three in the build up. So it seemed.
Just minutes after getting the equalizer, a break away from the Monza attack on a vulnerable Rossoneri defense spoiled Pulisic’s late equalizing golazo. They conceded twice in just five minutes to lose the game 4-2.
MONZA STUN MILAN JUST AFTER CONCEDING TO GET THE LATE WINNER pic.twitter.com/q8ee6jxCBG
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) February 18, 2024
LORENZO COLOMBO PUTS THE CHERRY ON TOP OF A HUGE WIN FOR MONZA pic.twitter.com/UhlfEAzOqY
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) February 18, 2024
Bittersweet game for the American.
This was Pulisic's first game providing more than one goal contribution for Milan, re-establishing himself as one of club's most important players this season. Something to smile about for the USMNT.
