Pulisic stars on Serie A debut with stunning goal to help Milan win

MILAN — United States standout Christian Pulisic started his AC Milan profession in spectacular model by scoring one objective and establishing one other as Bologna was crushed 2-0 on Monday of their opening match of Serie A.

Pulisic, who joined Milan final month, had a hand in Olivier Giroud’s opener and his former Chelsea teammate returned the favour within the twenty first minute.

“It was a fantastic start for sure,” Pulisic stated. “I’m really excited to be a part of this team. The two early goals really helped us because it was a difficult game after that. And for me just a great start personally as well, nice to get a goal.”

Pulisic is one in every of a number of new Rossoneri faces. Milan was the busiest Serie A membership within the offseason, bringing in six new gamers and he stated the presence of former teammates performed a component in his determination to hitch the storied Italian membership.

“It was just speaking with those guys. With Olivier we had some good experiences together, I played with Fikayo (Tomori), I played with Ruben and the connection is just there, as you can see tonight again,” Pulisic stated.

“And it was great to get the assist from Ollie again. It just felt like the perfect step in my career and I feel really, really welcome.”

Pulisic’s U.S. teammate Yunus Musah was suspended for the season opener. But different new buys Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Tijjani Reijnders got beginning debuts and the latter additionally had a hand within the opener within the eleventh minute.

Pulisic put in a exact crossfield cross to the again submit the place Reijnders lower it again for Giroud to fit in on the different facet.

Pulisic did even higher 10 minutes later when he performed a one-two with Giroud earlier than firing into the far facet.

“We are very happy with this first match and I am even happier for Christian,” Giroud stated. “I know him very well, we played together and had a good relationship on the field.”

With a snug lead and the warmth nearing 30 levels — even at night time — in Bologna, Milan’s depth dropped.

Rafael Leão may have made it three within the last minute however his effort got here off the within of the far submit.

RANIERI’S BACK

Claudio Ranieri ’s first match again in Serie A resulted in a creditable 0-0 for Cagliari at Torino.

Torino had the higher of the probabilities however — identical to final season — struggled to profit from its alternatives.

The 71-year-old Ranieri was again on the membership that successfully launched his teaching profession greater than 30 years in the past.

He achieved one other seemingly unbelievable feat final season when he steered Cagliari to promotion through the playoffs.