Christian Pulisic couldn’t have asked for a better start to his AC Milan career.
The U.S. men’s national team star star made his Serie A debut Monday against Bologna, and in the 21st minute, Pulisic showed exactly why the Italian giants shelled out $22 million to acquire him from Chelsea this summer.
Combining with forward Olivier Giroud, Pulisic took a pass from the French international in midfield and launched a rocket from just beyond the 18-yard box. Bologna keeper Łukasz Skorupski stood no chance, reaching in vain as the shot rippled the net while Pulisic ran past to celebrate a spectacular start to his Serie A career.
CHRISTIAN PULISIC. TAKE A BOW. 🔥 🇺🇸
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) August 21, 2023
WHAT A WAY TO MARK HIS SERIE DEBUT. 🫡 pic.twitter.com/R4WIaeTpmp
Pulisic is the fifth American to score a Serie A goal and the first to score in his debut, according to Opta.
After falling in the pecking order at Chelsea, Pulisic joined the Rossoneri this summer in a four-year deal with an option for a fifth year. In four seasons at Stamford Bridge, Pulisic recorded 26 goals and 21 assists in 145 matches across all competitions.
The three-time U.S. Soccer Male Athlete of the Year also won the 2021 FIFA Club World Cup and the Champions League in ’20–21 with Chelsea, becoming the first American international to play in a Champions League final.
Pulisic isn’t the only American international at AC Milan after USMNT teammate Yunus Musah also joined the club this summer in a €20 million ($21.9 million) move. However, Musah won’t make his debut Monday due to a red-card suspension after being sent off in his final game for Spanish side Valencia last season.
