The 2025-26 preseason campaign for AC Milan has commenced, with the Rossoneri facing Arsenal in their inaugural friendly match in Singapore on Wednesday. Although Milan suffered a 1-0 defeat following Bukayo Saka`s second-half goal, the primary focus was on the highly anticipated return of coach Massimiliano Allegri to the Italian club and the experimental new role for American star Christian Pulisic.
Regardless of the outcome and the early stage of preseason, Pulisic`s deployment as a striker alongside Rafael Leao in the first half of the Arsenal game was particularly noteworthy. The American international was later substituted by Noah Okafor at halftime.
Why Was Pulisic Deployed as a Striker?
Coach Allegri opted for a 3-5-2 formation against Arsenal, positioning Pulisic alongside Leao in the attacking line. This tactical decision was primarily influenced by AC Milan`s ongoing search for a new central striker, a `number nine,` following the departures of Luka Jovic and Tammy Abraham, whose contracts expired on June 30. Furthermore, young forward Lorenzo Colombo (23) is anticipated to go out on loan and was rested for the Arsenal match, while Mexican striker Santiago Gimenez is not expected to rejoin the squad until early August.
Consequently, Allegri experimented by pairing two natural wingers in attack. This proved to be an intriguing experiment for several reasons. Pulisic, operating predominantly on the left side of the attack, accumulated most of his 34 first-half touches in that familiar area, despite having primarily played as a right winger in a 4-3-3 system for AC Milan over the past two years.
This formation also appeared to grant Portuguese winger Rafael Leao greater freedom to roam in attack with fewer defensive duties. While this setup may change once AC Milan secures a new striker or when Gimenez returns, Leao seemed comfortable in this role, and playing alongside a traditional number nine could potentially further enhance his performance.
Although Pulisic didn`t register a shot in his 45 minutes on the field, his performance suggested potential in this new capacity. While he has previously played as a right or left winger and occasionally as an attacking midfielder behind a striker, this new role appears to blend the responsibilities of a number 10 behind a central forward with the freedom to drift left in both offensive and defensive transitions. It`s premature to determine if this tactical experiment will be a permanent fixture, but it will undoubtedly be considered by the Italian coach in the weeks leading up to the new season. This development is also likely to draw the attention of the USMNT coach, who faces his own challenges regarding strikers.
After the match, Allegri commented to Milan TV on the new roles for Leao and Pulisic, stating: “Leao delivered an excellent performance, as did all the other players. I am satisfied with him. While I am never completely happy when we lose, even in a friendly, the focus now is on preparing effectively for the rest of the season. It`s important to acknowledge that we were up against one of Europe`s strongest teams, and for sixty minutes, we matched them.”
What Lies Ahead?
The upcoming season presents a significant challenge for the Rossoneri. Having failed to qualify for European competitions last season, AC Milan`s focus will be solely on the domestic league and the Coppa Italia, with Champions League qualification identified as their paramount objective.
Curiously, despite not ending in a tie, Wednesday`s match was followed by a penalty shootout, which Milan won 6-5. The standout performer in Singapore was Italian goalkeeper Lorenzo Torriani, who made crucial saves against Martin Odegaard, Jakub Kiwior, and Reiss Nelson.
Milan`s next friendly fixture is scheduled for Saturday against Liverpool, kicking off at 7:30 a.m. ET.
