For former Blues escaping the worst-run football team in the league, San Siro has shown to be a safe sanctuary. Captain America in particular
Christian Pulisic’s first goal in AC Milan’s resounding victory over Lecce on Saturday may not have mattered much in the larger scheme of things.
There is no chance for the Rossoneri to win Serie A. In all honesty, their main goal at this point in the domestic season is to make sure that their bitter rivals from the city, Inter, do not win the title in the derby on April 22. After all, they have virtually secured their Champions title status.
But, Milan’s players, coaching staff, and supporters celebrated Pulisic’s goal at the Giuseppe Meazza with great vigor. Why? Because it represented his remarkable growth and growing significance as a player since joining San Siro in the summer.After the game, Hesham Hassan, the club’s kit man, even took to social media to note that the wildly adored Pulisic had once again scored with his “weaker” left foot.
“Hahaha I always listen!” was the quick response that the 25-year-old wrote. And really, who could be against it? After all, if Pulisic weren’t such a terrific listener, he wouldn’t be experiencing the most fulfilling period of his club career right now.
Attitude shone through’
Over the years, Stefano Pioli has conducted numerous video conferences with potential new players. Seldom has a conversation gone as well as it did with Pulisic last summer. He already knew what a good player the American was, but during their conversation, he also “sensed something very positive” about his character.
“He didn’t talk very much, but it was his attitude that shone through,” Pioli said.”He was very eager, curious, and interested in everything I had to say.” Pioli was certain that he was working with “a hard worker” and “exemplary professional” who would make Milan “stronger.”
From Pulisic’s standpoint, the call was crucial as well. He was previously aware that leaving Chelsea would be necessary to resurrect his faltering career; abandoning the circus at Stamford Bridge was “a no-brainer”. The only question was where to go.
Even though Lyon was more interested and willing to pay Chelsea more, Pulisic was lured to Milan. First, there was the amazing past of the club.
Even though they had financial difficulties near the conclusion of Silvio Berlusconi’s rule and just after, the Rossoneri are still among the biggest teams in the world of football. The thought of playing in San Siro, La Scala del Calcio, also captivated Pulisic.
Thirdly—and perhaps most importantly—a few well-known figures were pressuring the adaptable attacker to move to Milan with them.
