Christian Pulisic called AC Milan’s 3-1 victory over Champions League holders Real Madrid a “really special night” after he played a key role in securing Milan’s first win over Madrid in 15 years. The memorable clash took place at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium on Tuesday, marking back-to-back victories for Milan in the Champions League.
Pulisic’s Impact and Milan’s Dominant Performance
Pulisic was instrumental in Milan’s opening goal, delivering a well-placed corner in the 12th minute that Malick Thiaw headed in to give Milan an early lead. The U.S. star acknowledged the significance of the result, saying, “To come here and play is, of course, not easy [because of] their history in the Champions League. A tough place to come and play, so for us to put on a performance like that and win the game, obviously a really special night for us.”
Vinícius Júnior leveled the score for Real Madrid in the 23rd minute from the penalty spot after he was tripped in the box. However, Milan responded with resilience. Pulisic played a crucial role again, passing into the box to set up a play that led to Álvaro Morata restoring Milan’s lead with a rebound goal. Milan’s third goal came from Tijjani Reijnders, cementing the victory and sparking visible frustration among Madrid fans.
Fonseca Credits Team Courage and Strategy
Milan head coach Paulo Fonseca praised his team’s courage, explaining that they “came here and [were] not afraid of anything, playing the game we wanted.” Fonseca emphasized Milan’s disciplined ball control in the first half, a tactic that he believes allowed them to deserve the victory.
Milan’s Standing in Champions League and Serie A
With this win, Milan now holds six points after four of their eight games in the new Champions League league phase, positioning them well for a potential playoff spot for the quarterfinals. In Serie A, however, Milan has struggled, currently sitting in seventh place. Looking ahead to their upcoming game against Cagliari on Saturday, Pulisic emphasized the importance of staying focused. “Our coach just said enjoy tonight, we got to rest up tomorrow because we’ve got a big game coming this weekend and if we don’t win that one then this doesn’t mean anything,” he said.
A Historic Win for Milan
The 3-1 victory not only highlights Milan’s resurgence in Europe but also marks Real Madrid’s first back-to-back defeats since October 2021. For Pulisic and his teammates, the night was a powerful reminder of Milan’s legacy and their potential to contend against Europe’s top clubs.
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