Italian Super Cup
Pulisic on target to clinch his first title in Italy as AC Milan lift the Supercoppa
An unforgettable comeback for the Rossoneri, who bounced back after going 2-0 down with goals from Theo, Pulisic and Abraham.
AC Milan have been reborn. Christian Pulisic and Yunus Musah are celebrating their first title in Italy after playing key roles in the Rossoneri’s 2-3 Supercoppa de Italia triumph in Riyadh, this evening.
Sergio Conceição gained his first title as Milan coach in his second game in charge - and in dramatic fashion. His side staged an heroic comeback against Inter that was even more incredible than the one he experienced just a few days ago in the semi-final against Juve.
It brings up the eighth Super Cup for the Rossoneri, who are now equal in terms of honors with their city rivals, and it has given them an incredible boost after a very difficult few months.
Both Pulisic and Musah were in Conceição’s starting XI, with little between the two teams in the opening minutes. Milan were able to build up an effective press, which left little space for the Nerazzurri, and looked to do damage with attacks from Theo and Jiménez on either flank.
After two chances for Reijnders, Inzaghi’s men responded with a Dimarco shot that was neutralised by Maignan and, shortly afterwards, they lost one of their key players, Calhanoglu, who was replaced by Asllani due to a muscle injury.
Lautaro makes history
Just as the game was heading towards half-time and with both teams locked in stalemate, the game suddenly changed. Lautaro fired low past Maignan in stoppage time - it was his fourth goal in four different editions, pulling him level with Paulo Dybala as Inter’s top scorer in the tournament.
At the start of the second half, the Nerazzurri appeared to have sentenced the match with Mehdi Taremi scoring his first goal from open play this season. The Iranian striker ran onto a long pass from De Vrij and slotted keeper in a one-on-one.
Far from being out for the count, Conceiçao’s Milan staged a miraculous comeback - just as they had in the semi-final. Leao was introduced in the 51st minute and in his first action forced a free kick that Theo converted to make it 1-2.
Pulisic levels
That goal opened an uncertain phase of the match, with Inter wasting several chances to make it 1-3 and Milan coming close to equalising (especially with Reijnders). Parity was restored in the 81st minute, Theo, once again himself, broke from the left and found Pulisic in the area, who needed just one touch to control the ball before beating Sommer with a low drive.
It looked like the game might be decided from the penalty spot, but four minutes into stoppage time, Pulisic and Leao combined , leaving Abraham with the simple task of tapping the ball into the empty net.
The Rossoneri have been reborn, and they did so under the guidance of Leao and Theo, those ‘punished’ by Fonseca, and their new coach, who in just one week has beaten Juventus, Inter and already won a title. It is impossible to start better.
As for Pulisic, who found the net in the semi-final and the final, he has another winners' medal for his collection, added to the ones he won in England with Chelsea.