Saturday’s Serie A match between Milan and Fiorentina was seen as a pivotal opportunity for the Rossoneri to revitalize their underperforming season. However, the 2-2 draw only deepened the growing anxiety surrounding the club. When asked which players the club aimed to build around, the president did not hold back.
This game highlighted Milan’s ‘Jekyll-and-Hyde’ season. Fiorentina surged to a 2-0 lead within the first 10 minutes, taking advantage of poor defensive play and careless passing, especially from Yunus Musah, whose mistake led directly to the first goal. Musah was substituted after just 24 minutes, marking the second instance in a month where manager Sergio Conceicao has pulled him early in a match.
While one American faltered, another shone brightly. Christian Pulisic delivered an intelligent through ball to Tammy Abraham, assisting in their first goal and igniting a second-half comeback. With only three wins in their last 10 matches, the Rossoneri urgently needed standout performances, and the 26-year-old star delivered.
What did Milan’s president say?
Amid this turbulent stretch, Milan president Paolo Scaroni gave an exclusive interview to La Gazzetta dello Sport, sharing his insights on the team’s current challenges and future aspirations. “This campaign has been very tough for Milan,” Scaroni stated, “even with our Supercoppa Italiana victory. We are disappointed, but we are committed to building a winning team.”
When pressed about which players the club plans to build around, Scaroni confidently stated: “When [Rafael] Leao shines, he brings excitement to all the fans, including me. It’s difficult to name just a few, but for consistent performance, I’ll highlight two: [Christian] Pulisic and [Tijjani] Reijnders, who I believe have won everyone over. It’s no coincidence that we want both of them with us for a long time.”
Subtle shift in priorities?
Scaroni’s remarks carry significant weight, potentially revealing the new core of Milan’s future. Despite praising Rafael Leao, the star expected to lead this new era, he did not include him among his two main choices. Notably, Santiago Gimenez, a winter signing once deemed crucial, was also absent from his mentions.
Instead, Christian Pulisic and Tijjani Reijnders—two players lacking in the spotlight—have proven to be the club’s most dependable performers. Pulisic, whose transfer from Chelsea sparked skepticism, has provided consistent offensive contributions, leadership, and tenacity.
The Dutch midfielder has injected composure and clarity into Milan’s midfield, with his ability to control the game’s tempo and read situations being vital during intense moments. The statistics underscore their impact: Pulisic and Reijnders have combined for 29 goals and assists across 30 Serie A matches, averaging nearly one goal contribution per game.
