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Christian Pulisic delivered a match-saving performance for AC Milan despite battling a 102°F fever, coming off the bench to score twice in a dramatic 3-2 comeback victory over Torino that maintains Milan’s position atop Serie A with 31 points after 14 matches.
Pulisic Overcomes 102°F Fever to Score Decisive Brace in Milan’s Comeback Win
Milan found themselves trailing 2-0 in Turin before Adrien Rabiot pulled them back into the game in the 24th minute with a thunderous long-range strike into the top corner. Assistant coach Marco Landucci, filling in for suspended head coach Massimiliano Allegri, introduced Pulisic in the 66th minute despite the American winger being a doubt to even travel due to illness.
The USMNT star made an immediate impact, burying the equaliser just 35 seconds after coming on from a left-side cross. Pulisic completed Milan’s remarkable comeback in the 77th minute, meeting another delivery on the right to secure all three points for the Rossoneri in their fourth match this season where they conceded twice.
Speaking to SkySport Italy after earning MVP honours, Pulisic revealed the extent of his illness struggles. “Two days ago I was really dead, today I felt much better. I’m happy I came here to help the team,” the forward stated. “Yesterday we didn’t know if I could play, but this morning I felt much better. I’m happy for the goals, but the important thing was to win the match.”
The victory maintains Milan’s position at the top of the Serie A table with 31 points, level with Napoli and one point ahead of city rivals Inter after Matchday 14. Pulisic’s heroic display adds to his impressive season statistics of 9 goals and 2 assists in 12 matches, though he has averaged less than 46 minutes per game with only 550 minutes played.
When asked about his lack of consistent playing time despite his excellent output of a goal every 61 minutes, Pulisic acknowledged the situation. “It’s been a bit strange, I want to find more rhythm. The team is doing very well this year, we think game by game,” the forward explained. Milan host eighth-placed Sassuolo next Sunday, providing an ideal opportunity for the in-form American to return to the starting XI.
