AC Milan may have stunned Inter with a 3-0 win in the Coppa Italia semifinal second leg, but it wasn’t just the goal scorers who stole the show. While Luka Jović grabbed a brilliant brace and Tijjani Reijnders sealed the deal late on, it was Christian Pulisic’s selfless shift that earned high praise from head coach Sérgio Conceição.
Milan’s emphatic victory at San Siro on Wednesday night secured their place in the Coppa Italia final, cruising through with a 4-1 aggregate score. Despite not finding the back of the net this time, Pulisic’s performance didn’t go unnoticed—especially by his manager.
“He sacrificed himself for the team,” Conceição said in his post-match interview. “He had a very good game. He and Jović did an excellent job shutting down [Kristjan] Asllani and helping us control the midfield.”
Inter may have enjoyed more possession, but Milan were sharper, hungrier, and more focused—and Pulisic was central to that effort, even without the ball at his feet.
“He ran a lot; he gave everything,” Conceição added. “Sure, he’s not as fresh on the ball when we play like this, spending long spells without it—but I trust him deeply. He’s a key part of this team.”
Read More: U.S. Soccer president Parlow Cone: I struggle with people saying USMNT doesn’t care
It’s a rare kind of praise in modern football, where headlines often focus on stats and scoresheets. But on a night where Milan made a statement against the Serie A leaders—and their fiercest rivals—it was grit, discipline, and teamwork that defined the night.
This latest derby victory continues an impressive run of form for Milan against Inter this season. Across five meetings, the Rossoneri have won three and drawn two—a welcome bright spot during what’s otherwise been a challenging campaign.
Pulisic, for his part, has played a major role in that derby dominance. He’s scored in two of those five clashes and has been one of Milan’s standout performers all season, contributing 15 goals and 11 assists across all competitions. But it’s moments like this—when he doesn’t score yet still impacts the game—that highlight his growing influence in Italian football.
For fans and pundits alike, the American winger’s work ethic has never been in question. But under Conceição, it’s being appreciated in new ways.
Milan will now prepare for next month’s Coppa Italia final, where they’ll face either Bologna or Empoli. Bologna looks poised to advance, holding a comfortable 3-0 lead from their semifinal first leg. If so, it sets the stage for an exciting showdown between two of Serie A’s most resilient sides.
As for Pulisic, Wednesday’s performance was a reminder that leadership isn’t always about goals—it’s about doing the dirty work, making the sacrifices, and stepping up for the team when it matters most.
And on that front, he delivered.
