Pulisic returns after a “difficult 2026”, Saelemaekers

Why it matters

AC Milan's victory against Lecce is crucial for the team's morale, especially after a series of disappointing results in Serie A and the Europa League. Pulisic's return to the goalscoring chart could mark a turning point in his season, allowing him to regain confidence and form. It could also positively influence the rest of the team as they aim to improve their Serie A standings.

Context

Christian Pulisic, after a difficult period in 2026, has finally found the net again, which could have a significant impact on his confidence and contribution to AC Milan. His goal against Lecce, after a long drought, could be the start of a series of solid performances for the American player in Serie A.

Key points

• Pulisic returns after a “difficult 2026”, Saelemaekers.
• Pulisic scored his first competitive goal since December 28, 2025 and AC Milan responded after a series of disappointing results.
• Pulisic on ‘difficult 2026’ as Saelemaekers says Milan ‘enjoyed ourselves’ - Yahoo Sports.

Christian Pulisic finally broke his black streak and found the net during AC Milan's 3-0 victory against Lecce, a saving exit for the Rossonero club after mixed results. Victims of a 2-0 defeat in the Europa League against Benfica and two draws in Serie A against Juventus and Lazio, the Milanese needed a reaction: they obtained it by dominating possession and winning quietly thanks to goals from Pulisic, Adrien Rabiot and Diego Moreira.

For Pulisic, this goal has a double importance. The American striker puts an end to a competitive drought which dates back to December 28, 2025 against Hellas Verona, after having had 39 shots on target in Serie A without finding the net. The player admitted to having gone through “a very difficult 2026” both on an individual level and with the American selection, pointing to recurring injury problems which also affected him during the World Cup organized in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Image

Alexis Saelemaekers, lined up in a new role as trequartista to provide support to Gonçalo Ramos, did not score, but his involvement was highlighted after the match. “I think we are players who speak the same football language, we understand each other at a glance,” explained Saelemaekers. He insisted on the freedom left by the coach – Ruben Amorim, according to the statements reproduced – and on the valuable contribution of the entrants, notably citing Diego Moreira for his magnificent goal. “It proves that there is something really special about this group,” he concluded.

The collective performance allowed Milan to regain confidence after a complicated period. In addition to Pulisic's personal deliverance, the contribution of Adrien Rabiot in the middle and the decisive impact of Moreira reinforced the idea that the squad has interesting options, including from the bench.

From an accounting perspective, this 3-0 success will act as a response after the series of skirmishes and should allow the club to get off to a better start in the rest of the championship. For Pulisic, finding the goal remains an important signal in the perspective of regaining regularity and forgetting a painful year 2026. For Milan supporters, the performance against Lecce is a breath of fresh air before the next games.

The rest

With this victory, AC Milan hopes to build on this positive momentum for the next Serie A matches. Coach Ruben Amorim could continue to exploit the team's new dynamic, granting more freedom to the players. The performances of Pulisic and Saelemaekers will be key for the remainder of the season, as the club looks to move closer to the top spots in the table.

Frequently asked questions

What was the score of the AC Milan vs U.S. Lecce match?

The score of the match was 3-0 in favor of AC Milan.

Who scored the goals for AC Milan in this match?

Goals for AC Milan were scored by Christian Pulisic, Adrien Rabiot and Diego Moreira.

How did this match impact the Serie A standings?

This victory allowed AC Milan to respond after previous mixed results, but the exact impact on the ranking is not specified in the article.

When is AC Milan's next match?

The article does not specify the date of the next AC Milan match.

What was Christian Pulisic's recent career before this match?

Before this match, Christian Pulisic had gone through a difficult period, having not scored since December 28, 2025 and suffering recurring injuries.

Related Articles

• Series A: Giorgi Kvernadze panics Frosinone, Alvini shares
• Roma-Inter: Spectacular duel at the Olimpico, Kone
• Gattuso: “Lazio were very lucky, but I don’t

• Four matches advanced to Saturday. Sharing of points between

• Leonardo Balerdi: from jersey seeker to pillar

• Naples: mixed start, but a squad built for

• TV schedule: Where to follow Fiorentina-Napoli