Pulisic’s Heroics Save Milan from Crisis
In a thrilling Serie A encounter, Christian Pulisic emerged as the unlikely hero for AC Milan, leading the Rossoneri to a crucial 3-2 victory over Lecce. The United States international, affectionately known as "Captain America," single-handedly turned the tide with two vital goals, breaking a three-match losing streak and breathing new life into Milan’s faltering campaign.
A Turnaround for the Ages
The match at Lecce’s Stadio Via del Mare began inauspiciously for Milan. Early in the game, Santiago Giménez found the back of the net only to see his goal ruled out for offside. Lecce took advantage of Milan’s frustration, scoring a stunning goal in the seventh minute thanks to Nikola Krstovic’s curling shot from 20 yards. The joy for Lecce was palpable, as it marked their first goal in 367 minutes, having previously failed to score in their last four matches.
Milan’s woes continued as Theo Hernández’s free kick was met by Matteo Gabbia, who volleyed home, only to have the goal disallowed for offside again. Both teams came close to breaking the deadlock, hitting the woodwork, but it was Lecce who doubled their lead in the 59th minute. Krstovic, once again the tormentor, swept a low cross into the bottom left corner, putting Lecce in a comfortable 2-0 lead.
The Fight Back Begins
Milan’s fortunes began to shift in the 68th minute. João Félix’s effort appeared to be going wide but deflected off Lecce defender Antonino Gallo, resulting in an own goal. The momentum shifted further in Milan’s favor just five minutes later when Pulisic was brought down by Federico Baschirotto. The American coolly converted the resulting penalty, equalizing the score at 2-2.
The Winning Touch
The decisive moment came in the 81st minute. Rafael Leão floated a free kick from the left, and Pulisic, positioned at the back post, volleyed the ball into the net. The stadium erupted in cheers as Milan secured a dramatic 3-2 victory. The win not only marked a significant reversal of fortune for the Rossoneri but also lifted them to eighth place in the Serie A standings, albeit still far from their usual lofty heights.
Implications and Reactions
The victory was a much-needed morale booster for Milan, who had been embroiled in a crisis following their elimination from the Champions League by Feyenoord. The players, coaches, and supporters alike were visibly relieved and elated. Head coach Stefano Pioli praised Pulisic’s performance, highlighting his composure and leadership in critical moments. "Christian’s goals were crucial," Pioli said. "He showed great determination and focus, which is exactly what we needed today."
Looking Ahead
While Milan’s immediate focus is on climbing the league table, the road ahead remains challenging. City rivals Inter Milan, playing against bottom club Monza later in the day, aimed to extend their lead at the top of the table. Meanwhile, the fight against relegation continues to heat up, with Venezia salvaging a draw against Cesc Fabregas’ Como and Parma inching closer to safety with a 2-2 draw against Torino.
As Serie A enters the latter stages of the season, every point will be crucial. For Milan, the heroics of "Captain America" may just be the spark needed to ignite a final push for a place in Europe.
