AC Milan's American star Christian Pulisic proved to be the hero in a dramatic 3-2 comeback victory over Lecce on Saturday, ending the Rossoneri's three-game losing streak with a brilliant late brace.
"I always believed we would win this game and that's what we did," Pulisic declared in Italian during his post-match interview, showcasing both his growing comfort with the language and his unwavering confidence despite Milan's recent struggles.
The U.S. international's performance couldn't have come at a better time for Milan, who were staring at a potential fourth consecutive defeat after falling behind 2-0. Pulisic converted a crucial penalty in the 73rd minute to level the score at 2-2 before completing the comeback with a stunning volley in the 81st minute that secured all three points.
The victory lifts Milan to eighth place in the Serie A standings, reviving their hopes for European qualification next season. For Pulisic personally, the brace ended a month-long goal drought, with his last goal coming against Parma on January 26th.
Milan coach Sergio Conceicao praised the versatile American's tactical intelligence after the match. "Starting from the wing, he feels very comfortable in the central corridor, then it depends on the game," Conceicao told DAZN. "Today he started on the left, he is a player with great technical qualities and very intelligent. He can play behind the striker or on the wings but coming inside is the best position."
The win could represent a turning point for both Milan and Pulisic after a difficult period. The Rossoneri were in crisis following three consecutive Serie A defeats and elimination from the Champions League. Despite these struggles, Pulisic has remained the club's top scorer across all competitions with 14 goals this season.
Reflecting on Milan's performance, Pulisic highlighted a common frustration this season: "It's not like we played badly in the first half and that's the story of the season. We play well, we get five or six chances. They get one and score, this is tough."
Milan will look to build on this momentum when they host Cesc Fabregas' Como at the San Siro on March 15, followed by a challenging away fixture against title contenders Napoli. With European qualification still in sight, Pulisic's return to form could prove crucial for the Rossoneri's ambitions in the remaining fixtures of the season.
