Christian Pulisic Shines as Captain Despite AC Milan’s Shock Loss

Christian Pulisic led AC Milan as captain and found the net in a surprising 3-2 defeat to Serie B side Virtus Entella, highlighting both his personal resurgence and areas of concern for the Rossoneri as they navigate the international break.

Christian Pulisic’s Return: AC Milan’s Key Attacker Back in Action

Christian Pulisic made a commanding return to the pitch for AC Milan, wearing the captain’s armband and scoring in a club-friendly organized to assess the fitness of players returning from injury. After a hamstring issue sidelined him during the October international window, Milan and the USMNT mutually agreed to keep Pulisic out of national team selection, prioritizing his full recovery at the club level.

The American star, alongside teammates Ardon Jashari, Pervis Estupinan, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, and Youssouf Fofana, participated in the friendly with Virtus Entella. Massimiliano Allegri’s decision to hand Pulisic the captaincy underscored the player’s growing influence and leadership within the squad.

Pulisic’s Goal Not Enough as Defensive Errors Hurt Milan

Pulisic wasted no time making his mark, opening the scoring for Milan. Virtus Entella responded quickly after Fofana’s defensive lapse, ending the first half at 1-1. After the break, promising play from Chaka Traore and Emanuele Borsani restored Milan’s lead, but further mistakes—most notably from Jashari—allowed Entella to equalize and then snatch a late winner. The 3-2 defeat exposed vulnerabilities in Milan’s back line, even as their attacking play showed promise with Pulisic at the forefront.

Pulisic’s Growing Role Under Allegri’s System

Since arriving from Chelsea, Pulisic has become one of Serie A’s most impactful attackers. Operating as a supporting striker in Allegri’s 3-5-2, he’s scored 38 goals in 108 Milan appearances. His intelligence in finding space, linking midfield and attack, and initiating counters has been essential to Milan’s attacking structure. Recent performances—including a clever goal against Udinese and a dynamic assist to Alexis Saelemaekers—have underlined his creative and tactical value.

Defensively, Pulisic contributes tireless work, tracking back to help maintain structure during transitions. This blend of attacking flair and discipline makes him a vital part of Allegri’s strategy and a connecting force between the midfield and front line.

Christian Pulisic Set to Lead Milan After International Break

With the international break underway, Milan have used the time to restore fitness to key players like Pulisic, Adrien Rabiot, and Santiago Gimenez. Allegri is focusing on tactical tweaks and ensuring his strongest lineup is available for the crucial derby against Inter Milan. The extra preparation time could prove invaluable as the race for Serie A intensifies.

Expert Opinion: Pulisic Poised for Leadership If Fitness Holds

Milan legend Marcel Desailly has praised Pulisic’s talent and leadership potential, noting that consistency and injury avoidance are the keys to his long-term success. “He is one of those players you expect to drive the team’s offensive animation,” Desailly said. With fitness returning, Pulisic’s role as both creator and leader is set to grow.

In summary, Christian Pulisic’s captaincy and goal-scoring return are positives for AC Milan, despite the result against Virtus Entella. If he stays healthy, his influence at the club—both on and off the pitch—will only increase. His dynamic play and leadership are essential for Milan’s Serie A ambitions. For more news on Pulisic, Milan, and the latest football updates, visit for more news.

Opinion: Pulisic’s Leadership Is Milan’s X-Factor

Pulisic’s performance as captain, even in a friendly defeat, demonstrates his maturity and influence within the Rossoneri setup. As he regains full fitness, he has the potential to be not just Milan’s attacking engine but also a vocal leader. If Pulisic can maintain his health and consistency, he may well become the driving force behind Milan’s domestic and European ambitions.