Christian Pulisic may not have contributed to a goal in AC Milan’s 3-0 win over Inter on Wednesday, but his coach still said he was vital to the Rossoneri’s cause.
Milan reached the Coppa Italia final with the semifinal second-leg win, claiming a 4-1 aggregate victory after a 1-1 draw in the first leg.
Luka Jović was the hero on the night as the Serbian bagged a brace, with Tijjani Reijnders scoring a late goal to seal the deal.Amid a difficult season for Milan, matches against the club’s biggest rival have proven to be an unlikely respite.
The Rossoneri now have three wins and two draws this season against Inter, which currently leads Serie A.Pulisic scored in two of those matches, but didn’t get on the scoresheet on Wednesday.
But Milan head coach Sérgio Conceição still felt the American’s work without the ball was vital in a game where Inter had a possession advantage.
“He sacrificed himself for the team, he had a good game,” Conceição told Mediaset after the game.
“We had to balance the central areas, he and Jović were important on [Inter midfielder Kristjan] Asllani. He ran a lot, he gave a lot to the team.
“Then it’s clear, he lacks a bit of freshness with the ball. When we spend more time without the ball, for players like Puli, it becomes more difficult. But I have great confidence in him.”
Pulisic has been one of Milan’s most important players again this season, tallying 15 goals and 11 assists in all competitions.Milan will face either Bologna or Empoli in the final next month.
Bologna looks likely to be the opponent as it enters Thursday’s semifinal second leg with a 3-0 lead after the first leg.
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