The 2025-26 preseason has officially begun for AC Milan, marked by their first match against Arsenal on Wednesday in Singapore. The game, which saw the Rossoneri fall 1-0 to a second-half goal from Bukayo Saka, drew significant attention not just for the scoreline, but for American star Christian Pulisic`s debut in a new role under returning coach Massimiliano Allegri.
Despite it being an early preseason encounter where results are secondary, Pulisic`s deployment as a striker alongside Rafael Leao in the first half was a notable development. He was later replaced by Noah Okafor at halftime, but the experiment provided an interesting glimpse into Allegri`s potential tactical plans.
Why Pulisic Played Upfront
Allegri’s team adopted a 3-5-2 formation against Arsenal, with Pulisic positioned alongside Leao in the attacking line. This tactical choice was primarily driven by AC Milan`s current striker situation. With Luka Jovic and Tammy Abraham having departed after their contracts expired on June 30, the club`s sporting director, Igli Tare, is actively seeking a new number nine. Additionally, 23-year-old striker Lorenzo Colombo is expected to go out on loan, and Mexican forward Santiago Gimenez is not due back until early August.
Faced with these circumstances, Allegri opted to try an unconventional setup, featuring two wingers in attack. This experiment yielded intriguing observations. Pulisic, despite having primarily played as a right winger in Milan`s 4-3-3 formation over the past two years, operated on the left side of the attack, where most of his 34 first-half touches occurred. This area is more aligned with his natural position.
The new arrangement also seemed to benefit Portuguese winger Leao, granting him more freedom to roam in attack without significant defensive duties. While this setup may change once Milan signs a new striker or when Gimenez returns, Leao appeared comfortable in this role, and playing alongside a dedicated number nine could potentially enhance his performance further.
Although Pulisic did not register a single shot during his 45 minutes on the field, his performance in this novel position showed promise. While he has previously played as a right or left winger and occasionally behind a striker, this new role combines elements of playing as a No. 10 behind a central forward with the flexibility to drift left in both attacking and defensive phases. It`s too soon to determine if this tactical test will become a regular feature, but it will certainly be considered by the Italian coach as the new season approaches. Such a move is also likely to catch the eye of USA coach Mauricio Pochettino, who is facing his own striker dilemmas.
Following the match, Allegri commented on the new roles of Leao and Pulisic to Milan TV:
“Leao put in an excellent performance, just like all the other players. I`m satisfied with him. When we lose, even in a friendly, I`m never completely happy, but now it`s important to prepare well for the rest of the season. And it should be noted that we were facing one of the strongest teams in Europe. For sixty minutes, we played on par with them.”
What`s Next for AC Milan?
The upcoming season will be challenging for the Rossoneri. Having failed to qualify for European competitions last campaign, AC Milan will focus solely on the domestic league and the Coppa Italia, with Champions League qualification as their primary objective.
The friendly against Arsenal, for a peculiar reason, was followed by a penalty shootout despite not ending in a tie. Milan emerged victorious, winning 6-5, with Italian goalkeeper Lorenzo Torriani emerging as the hero after saving three penalties from Martin Odegaard, Jakub Kiwior, and Reiss Nelson.
Milan`s next friendly match is scheduled for Saturday against Liverpool, which will be broadcast live on Golazo Network.
