Christian Pulisic finally hit the pitch for AC Milan this season on Saturday, and it did not take long for the USMNT star to make a statement. In a wild 2-2 draw against Lazio at the Stadio Olimpico, Pulisic delivered his first assist of the season, sparking a crucial comeback for Ruben Amorim’s squad.
Half-Time Fire-Up Leads to Instant Impact
Things looked rough early on for the Rossoneri. They conceded the opening two goals to Gennaro Gattuso’s Lazio, with Matteo Cancellieri and Tijjani Noslin finding the net. But coach Ruben Amorim clearly had enough, pulling the trigger on some crucial halftime changes. Pulisic and new signing Diego Moreira got the call, stepping onto the pitch ready to flip the script. And flip it, they did. In a blistering three-minute span, Moreira absolutely exploded, bagging a brace of goals, and it was Pulisic who set up that crucial first strike. The American striker’s immediate impact after coming off the bench was a highlight, showing everyone why he’s such a vital piece for Milan. Moreira, by the way, was a summer signing from Strasbourg for around $60 million.
The Long Game for Captain America
Pulisic’s delayed debut wasn’t by choice, an injury suffered in the last game of the 2026 World Cup had severely impacted his pre-season prep. Amorim knew Pulisic was champing at the bit, saying before the match, “Pulisic is angry at the moment because he has zero minutes, and I love that. I love this in my team’s players. I won’t leave out someone who is doing well just to put a ‘name’ in. That is how I manage the group, and I will die by these principles.” Despite his measured words, Amorim didn’t hesitate to deploy Pulisic when the team desperately needed a spark, with the American proving “crucial” even as Moreira “stole the show” with his two goals. This cautious approach by Amorim is all about the long game, aiming to build Pulisic’s durability.
Building Towards Full Strength
Amorim’s strategy is clear: keep Pulisic patient now so he can be fully unleashed later. The coach’s idea is to get Pulisic completely fit after the upcoming international break. “After the break, we have eight weeks with three matches a week. Everyone will be tired, and Pulisic will play many matches,” Amorim stated. This long-term perspective is aimed at preventing the recurring injury issues that have plagued Pulisic in the past. Milan wants him ready for the grind of a packed schedule, and they are not rushing it.
Next up for AC Milan, they have their European debut on Thursday against Benfica at San Siro, followed by another home game on Sunday against Lecce. Expect Pulisic to see more minutes as he ramps up. This debut assist is a massive sign of what’s to come, and the patience now could pay huge dividends for Milan down the stretch.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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