AC Milan Advances in Coppa Italia
Christian Pulisic played a key role in AC Milan’s solid progression to the next stage of the Coppa Italia, helping his team secure a 2-0 victory over Bari. The American winger found the net for the Rossoneri shortly after halftime, marking his contribution with a composed finish after receiving a well-timed pass from Santiago Gimenez. Earlier in the match, he even struck the crossbar, showcasing his attacking prowess.
Match Highlights
Milan initially gained the lead in the 14th minute, thanks to Rafael Leão’s header from a precise cross provided by Fikayo Tomori. However, the match had a bittersweet moment when Leão had to leave the pitch shortly after due to a calf injury, raising concerns for manager Massimiliano Allegri who hopes it’s not a severe issue.
Pulisic was substituted after 66 minutes by fellow U.S. national team player Yunus Musah, coinciding with the replacements of midfielders Samuele Ricci and Ruben Loftus-Cheek. This moment marked Luka Modric’s competitive debut for the club, following his high-profile transfer from Real Madrid.
Managerial Context
Allegri, who made a return to the helm of Milan after nearly 15 years since his last tenure when he won Serie A, is currently serving a two-match suspension. This penalty was handed down after an incident involving a controversial outburst against match officials during last season’s Coppa Italia final while he was with Juventus.
Historical Performance and Future Matches
Historically, AC Milan enjoys a favorable position in the Coppa Italia, frequently entering the tournament as one of the higher seeds. However, after finishing eighth in Serie A last season and a Coppa Italia final loss to Bologna, they found themselves entering earlier rounds this time. Bologna, despite a ninth-place finish, was granted the top seed.
Now, Allegri is set to prepare his squad for their upcoming Serie A clash against Cremonese at San Siro on August 23. Additional details into Pulisic’s individual performance reveal plans for his upcoming signature cleats release by Puma for the 2025-26 season, reflecting his growing profile in the sport.
