AC Milan took on yet another heartbreaking loss in the Serie A and fans are blaming Tammy Abraham for taking Pulisic off a penalty kick and missing it. This probably the last time that happens.
Christian Pulisic’s AC Milan is not having the best start to the 2024/25 season and their most-recent loss has fans worried over whether the squad is facing internal issues. This because of the now growing 'problem' of letting Pulisic take penalties.
In February, Pulisic was named as the rossoneri’s official penalty taker, with the U.S. men’s national team star’s perfect record for club and country earning him the feat of taking his club’s set pieces from the spot. He’s a combined 10-for-10 in both.
Though, despite Pulisic’s incredible penalty-taking ability, Milan’s 2-1 loss against Fiorentina on Sunday saw two of the American’s teammates miss separate penalties, ultimately leading to their defeat. Theo Hernández — who was most likely granted to take the penalty in celebration of his 27th birthday — and Tammy Abraham, missed the attempts for the rossoneri.
TWO PENALTIES. TWO SAVES.
David de Gea and Mike Maignan fighting it out for POTM pic.twitter.com/8K3KKp0P9G— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) October 6, 2024
THREE PENALTY SAVES IN ONE MATCH pic.twitter.com/Ze9JcCjPo7
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) October 6, 2024
Abraham, however and as opposed to Hernández, blatantly ignored Pulisic’s wish to take the shot from the spot. And it's gone viral.
Watch: Video shows exact moment when Tammy Abraham waved off Christian Pulisic to take penalty
After Hernández was denied the goal at the end of the first half, Milan was awarded yet another penalty just 10 minutes into the restart, with Pulisic immediately asking for the ball but Abraham grabbing the ball anyway.
Former England and Chelsea teammate, Fikayo Tomori, jumped for the ball and gave it directly to Abraham before the striker shook his head to Pulisic’s request.
— Brandon Ayala (@BrandonAya47844) October 6, 2024
— ➜ AC Milan & (@bintYusuf___) October 7, 2024
Big, big yikes.
This situation quickly garnered the attention of fans on social media, with many calling out the former England internationals for blatantly ignoring the instructions of manager Paulo Fonseca to have Pulisic take the penalties.
AC Milan have missed two penalties in this match against Fiorentina. Both Theo Hernandez and Tammy Abraham.
Christian Pulisic, who has never missed a penalty in his career, was named the designated penalty kick taker in February, but didn't take either one.— USMNT Only (@usmntonly) October 6, 2024
This is making me so mad man. Who tf does Abraham think he is man??? Pulisic is not only his senior in the team but also one of the main starters and stars... https://t.co/w0TRcZ3DMJ
— dappy (@slothfluff) October 6, 2024
This is not great to see, at all. Christian Pulisic to take the penalty but Tammy Abraham to let him take it.
#️⃣ | #FiorentinaMilan 2-1 pic.twitter.com/umEastHfrK
— Milan Xtra (@MilanXtra) October 6, 2024
AC Milan have missed two penalties in their match against Fiorentina (Taken by Theo Hernandez and Tammy Abraham)
Meanwhile, Christian Pulisic has never missed a penalty for club or country (including Milan) in his career before with a 10/10 record ♂️ pic.twitter.com/fNlQRNj074— Golazo America (@GolazoAmerica) October 6, 2024
So disrespectful towards Pulisic. Can’t believe I’m seeing this. Have some shame Morata, Hernandez, Tomori and Abraham. Grown men lol.
Pulisic really is like Fonseca described him. We don’t deserve him. Very thankful for what he’s given us this far. https://t.co/U8atPnXowG— Duckling (@ducklingacm) October 7, 2024
The ‘embarrassing’ moment was addressed by Fonseca in the post-match press conference, with the Portuguese manager reiterating Pulisic’s hierarchy as the official penalty taker. According to Fonseca, this will never happen again.
“The penalty taker is Pulisic. I don’t know why the players changed their minds. I spoke to [Pulisic] and said it must never happen again” said the AC Milan manager.
Despite the ‘penalty fiasco,’ Pulisic still managed to stay in hot form in the Serie A, scoring yet again with a superb one-time finish. He has seven goal contributions in seven games this league campaign.
He’s just that good.
