Pulisic’s Strong Performance Fuels Milan’s Serie A Ambitions

Christian Pulisic, despite facing occasional injury challenges this season, remains a formidable contender in the race for Serie A’s top scorer. With eight goals in the Italian top-flight and a total surpassing ten across all competitions, Pulisic’s performance has been noteworthy.

At the beginning of 2026, Inter’s Lautaro Martinez leads the Serie A scoring chart, but only by a single goal over Pulisic. As a World Cup-winning Argentine and a central striker, Martinez’s proven performance in the attacking third gives him an edge.

Pulisic is demonstrating that he can compete with the elite strikers in the league, but the question lingers: can he maintain his individual excellence amidst the collective goal of securing the Scudetto? His personal success may be crucial for Milan’s aspirations of clinching the title.

When asked about the potential top scorer for the 2025-26 Serie A season, Fabio Capello, speaking to Gazzetta dello Sport, noted, “Although it’s tempting to predict Lautaro given his consistent scoring of crucial goals, I am equally impressed by Rasmus Hojlund, who is in phenomenal form and alleviates concerns over Lukaku’s return.”

Capello further highlighted the talents of Milan, Juventus, and Roma’s forwards, stating, “Milan heavily relies on Pulisic, particularly in the absence of Rafael Leao, but he cannot consistently rescue his teammates from difficult situations. Kenan Yildiz possesses remarkable talent and is exhibiting impressive consistency, yet we must remember he is still quite young. Meanwhile, Matias Soule has netted 11-12 goals but has yet to make a significant impact in crucial matches.”

Having previously managed Milan, Capello has acknowledged Pulisic’s pivotal role within the team, suggesting, “Pulisic is capable of playing various positions, and he excels in the 3-5-2 formation. His movement, quality, speed, and vertical runs make him a dangerous player. A central position appears to suit him better, as it allows him more freedom to make an impact.”

As Pulisic continues to shine when fit, AC Milan is eager to help the 27-year-old expand his collection of accolades. After celebrating victory in the Supercoppa Italiana last season, Pulisic now has his sights set on the Serie A title.

Capello commented further on Milan’s title aspirations, noting their advantage from not having midweek European matches: “Massimiliano Allegri will have the opportunity to concentrate his players on one objective, particularly after their elimination from the Coppa Italia.”

He added, “Earlier this season, Milan experienced lapses in concentration against lesser teams, but I anticipate that Allegri will rectify this, utilizing the comparatively lighter schedule to prepare both tactically and psychologically for each fixture.”

Capello emphasized the potential drain of cup competitions on a team’s energy and morale, warning that a poor result could adversely affect league performance.

As Milan embarks on their title challenge in the 2025-26 season, the club must demonstrate to Pulisic that they are progressing in the right direction. His significant influence at San Siro has delayed contract negotiations, with reports indicating that discussions are planned for the spring. The Rossoneri are optimistic about reaching an agreement, but they must align with the ambitions of a player poised to lead his nation in the upcoming home World Cup.