Pulisic Storms Back from Injury to Fire AC Milan to Derby Victory and Seize Golden Boot Lead
Christian Pulisic netted the decisive goal for AC Milan in the Derby della Madonnina clash with Inter Milan on Sunday, scoring his first goal since recovering from injury.
This strike brought the U.S. men's national team standout to seven goals and two assists across 10 appearances in all competitions this campaign. It was Pulisic's first goal since he recorded both a goal and assist in the Rossoneri's 2–1 triumph over Napoli on Sept. 28.
With five Serie A goals this season, the USMNT skipper shares the Golden Boot lead despite featuring in only eight of Milan's 12 league fixtures. Inter's Hakan Çalhanoğlu also has five goals, and squandered his chance to regain sole leadership when he sent his 78th-minute penalty attempt straight at Milan keeper Mike Maignan.
Pulisic's 54th-minute strike came through smart positioning. The 27-year-old positioned himself perfectly to convert a rebound after Alexis Saelemaekers unleashed a low drive from distance, which veteran Swiss shot-stopper Yann Sommer could only parry into Pulisic's path.
Though Pulisic grabbed the headlines with his goal, he completed the evening with two attempts, 38 touches and two successful take-ons before being substituted for Christopher Nkunku in the 78th minute.
The victory lifted Milan to second place in Serie A with 25 points, trailing AS Roma by two points for the summit, as they prepare for next week's encounter with eighth-placed Lazio.
Serie A Golden Boot Race
Player | Goals |
|---|---|
T1. Christian Pulisic (AC Milan) | 5 |
T1. Riccardo Orsolini (Bologna) | 5 |
T1. Hakan Çalhanoglu (Inter Milan | 5 |
T.4 Frank Anguissa (Napoli) | 4 |
T4. Kevin De Bruyne (Napoli) | 4 |
T4. Seven Other Players | 4 |
Pulisic: Milan Derby Winner 'Means Everything'
Pulisic was sidelined for four consecutive matches after picking up an injury while representing the USMNT on Oct. 15, leaving the field early during a win against Australia in what Milan subsequently identified as a "low-grade hamstring injury."
Prior to his layoff, he had made an exceptional start to the Italian season with four goals and two assists in his first five Serie A appearances, leading the Golden Boot standings at that stage.
"It means everything, honestly, just the result today means even more, puts us in a good place. I'm really happy to come back after tough moments in the last month and to help the team win," Pulisic told CBS Sports after the match.
"I think I can improve even more. I don't feel 100% sharp after coming back from an injury and some time out, but it just shows the resilience. I work really hard, and I'm happy a moment like today can come. So it means a lot to me."
Pulisic will aim to maintain his form heading into the most important year of his career as the USMNT's key player for the 2026 World Cup, jointly hosted by the U.S., Canada and Mexico.
After sitting out the November international break to concentrate on his injury rehabilitation, he is anticipated to return to manager Mauricio Pochettino's USMNT squad for two March friendlies against elite opposition.