AC Milan Teammate Backs Christian Pulisic to End Goal Drought

Christian Pulisic is facing a period of scrutiny at AC Milan as he attempts to break a goalscoring drought that has spanned 14 matches for both his club and the United States men’s national team.

Despite a strong start to the season, the 27-year-old American forward has struggled to find the net since the beginning of 2026. His dip in form has been compounded by intermittent fitness issues, including a hamstring injury and a more recent struggle with bursitis.

Support from Teammates and Coaching Staff

Ruben Loftus-Cheek, a former Chelsea teammate who reunited with Pulisic at San Siro, has publicly defended the American international. Speaking to Sportmediaset on April 5, 2026, Loftus-Cheek characterized the slump as a temporary phase common to top-tier players.

It’s normal to go through difficult moments every now and then, I’m sure he’ll score again. And in any case, he works hard for the team, he comes back to defend, even without goals he gives us a lot

Ruben Loftus-Cheek

AC Milan head coach Max Allegri has echoed this sentiment. In a press conference held ahead of a March 1, 2026, match against Cremonese, Allegri stated that Pulisic is nearing full fitness and is expected to return to his scoring best.

Pulisic has grown physically and mentally, he’ll get back to scoring. The important thing is that they’re all doing well. Pulisic is close to a very good level. He has grown physically, he’s much calmer and has much more confidence in himself.

Max Allegri

Impact of Injuries on Form

Pulisic’s inability to score in 2026 has been largely attributed to his physical condition. The attacker has managed to start only four of AC Milan’s last 10 matches prior to the March 1 fixture. This included a return to the starting lineup in a 1-0 defeat against Parma after a month-long absence from the starting eleven.

While Pulisic battles back to full health, Loftus-Cheek has also faced his own setbacks. The English midfielder was recently sidelined due to a broken jaw. However, Loftus-Cheek noted that because the injury was not muscular, he was able to maintain his fitness levels through athletic work and intends to finish the campaign strongly.

Seasonal Context and Standings

Despite the current drought, Pulisic remains a vital component of the Rossoneri attack. He enters this period as AC Milan’s leading goal-scorer for the season, having recorded 10 goals in all competitions.

The team’s pursuit of the Serie A title remains a priority, as they sit in second place. As of late February 2026, AC Milan trailed city rivals Inter Milan by 10 points. The ability of Pulisic to rediscover his form is seen as crucial for the club to close that gap and remain competitive in the league.

Pulisic’s overall international record continues to place him among the top scorers for the USMNT. As of November 18, 2024, he had recorded 32 goals for his country, placing him fifth on the all-time leading goal scorers list for the national team.