Pulisic on ‘difficult 2026’ as Saelemaekers says Milan ‘enjoyed ourselves’ | OneFootball

Christian Pulisic admits he had a ‘very difficult’ 2026 for Milan and the USMNT, but broke his goal drought after nine months, while Alexis Saelemaekers said they ‘enjoyed themselves’ against Lecce.

It was a bruised and wounded Rossoneri side, who were coming off the 2-0 Europa League defeat to Benfica, and two Serie A draws against Juventus and Lazio.

ITALY – SEPTEMBER 20: Danilo Veiga of U.S. Lecce battles for the ball with Alexis Saelemaekers of AC Milan during the Serie A match between AC Milan and US Lecce at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on September 20, 2026 in Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

They had a point to prove and dominated possession, running out 3-0 winners with Pulisic, Adrien Rabiot and Diego Moreira goals.

It was the first Pulisic goal in a competitive match since December 28, 2025 against Hellas Verona, and came after 39 shots on target in Serie A without finding the net.

Pulisic and Saelemaekers back on track

ITALY – SEPTEMBER 20: Christian Pulisic of AC Milan runs with the ball under pressure from Jamil Siebert of U.S. Lecce during the Serie A match between AC Milan and US Lecce at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on September 20, 2026 in Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

That wasn’t all, because the USMNT forward was also the only player on the pitch today who exchanged passes with every single one of his teammates.

“That statistic means I ran too much and now I feel very tired,” smiled Pulisic on DAZN Italia.

“It’s fine, though, we played really well as a team. It was a pleasure to work this hard with my teammates.”

Pulisic had a nightmare 2026, failing to score at all, suffering from repeated injury problems, which continued during the World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico.

“It was very difficult for me, but also for the team. I’m glad I scored a goal, but now we’ve just got to keep winning.”

ITALY – SEPTEMBER 20: Christian Pulisic of AC Milan celebrates scoring his team’s first goal with teammate Koni De Winter during the Serie A match between AC Milan and US Lecce at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on September 20, 2026 in Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Saelemaekers didn’t find the net today, but he was certainly involved in this new trequartista role in support of Goncalo Ramos.

“It was quite a difficult week for us, but the fans were always right behind us, so we are happy to get the three points for them today,” the Belgium international told DAZN Italia.

“The coach decides where he wants us to play, and the important thing is the team. We all did really well today and also enjoyed ourselves on the pitch. I think those who watches us enjoyed themselves too.”

ITALY – SEPTEMBER 20: Ruben Amorim, Manager of AC Milan, interacts with Christian Pulisic of AC Milan as he is substituted off during the Serie A match between AC Milan and US Lecce at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on September 20, 2026 in Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Ruben Amorim said that he had given the Milan players “more freedom” for this match, so how did that change the situation?

“I think we are players who speak the same football language, we understand each other with just a glance. The coach is trying to transmit his mentality, and everyone who came off the bench gave their contribution too, including Moreira with a great goal.

“This proves there is something really special in this group,” concluded Saelemaekers.