How Milan’s 3‑5‑2 Tactics Are Stifling Christian Pulisic’s Scoring
Massimiliano Allegri admitted after Sunday’s 0‑0 draw with Juventus that the current system is not delivering the desired attacking output for AC Milan.
The Italian coach specifically pointed to Christian Pulisic, describing him as “not entirely suited” to the role he has been given in the 3‑5‑2 formation.
Since the start of 2026, Pulisic has appeared in 18 matches for club and country without finding the net, matching the longest goalless stretch of his career.
In those 18 games he has contributed only one assist, underscoring the depth of his offensive struggles this season.
Allegri’s tactical blueprint places Pulisic on the centre‑right wing while Rafael Leão occupies the centre‑left, leaving the line without a traditional centre‑forward.
This arrangement forces both wingers into defensive duels and wide channels that limit their natural goal‑scoring instincts.
AC Milan have scored in just five of their 18 Serie A fixtures this year, highlighting the paucity of firepower under the current system.
Over the last four matches the Rossoneri have managed a solitary goal and secured only four points, a dip that has dropped them to third place.
The club’s defensive record has improved, conceding a league‑best 27 goals, but the trade‑off has been a stark reduction in offensive production.
Niclas Fullkrug, Santiago Giménez and Christopher Nkunku have collectively contributed a modest tally, with Fullkrug scoring once, Giménez yet to score in 12 appearances, and Nkunku netting five times.
These numbers illustrate Milan’s lack of a reliable striker to complement the wide attackers.
The absence of a central target man forces Pulisic and Leão to shoulder the creative burden, a task they have struggled to fulfil together.
Both players have endured prolonged goal droughts; Leão’s last strike came on 1 March against Cremonese.
Allegri acknowledged the psychological impact on Pulisic, noting his sensitivity and the mounting pressure from the barren run.
“Christian is a very sensitive man, and this drought is hitting him harder,” Allegri told DAZN after the Juventus game.
Despite the criticism, both Pulisic and Leão have publicly dismissed rumours of a personal rift, emphasizing team unity after a joint celebration.
Their on‑field chemistry, however, remains limited by the positional demands of the 3‑5‑2, which does not exploit their complementary strengths.
Historically, Milan have thrived with a more traditional striker‑centric approach, as evidenced by last season’s 61 goals.
To match that output, the club would need to add at least 13 goals in the final four league fixtures.
Such a requirement underscores the urgency of re‑evaluating the current tactical set‑up before the season concludes.
From a broader perspective, the United States Men’s National Team (USMNT) relies on Pulisic in a different capacity, often as an attacking midfielder behind a true striker.
In that role, he benefits from space and supportive players, a contrast to Milan’s system where he is forced into a quasi‑striker position.
During the March USMNT camp, Pulisic generated multiple chances against Belgium, demonstrating his creative potential when placed in a more suitable role.
His three attempts on target in that friendly highlight the thin margin between contribution and goal‑scoring.
The USMNT squad features several prolific forwards—Folarin Balogun, Ricardo Pepi, Haji Wright and others—reducing the scoring burden on Pulisic.
This distribution of responsibility may alleviate some pressure on him heading into the summer World Cup.
Nevertheless, his form at club level remains a concern for both Milan and the United States, as a confident player is essential for tournament success.
Allegri remains committed to the balance he believes the 3‑5‑2 offers, prioritising defensive solidity over attacking flair.
He justified the approach by pointing to Milan’s league‑best defensive record, conceding only 27 goals compared with 43 the previous season.
Critics argue that the defensive gains are insufficient compensation for the dramatic drop in goals scored.
The statistical contrast is stark: Milan’s goals‑for tally stands at 16, while goals‑against sits at 27, a reversal from the prior campaign.
Below is a concise statistical overview of AC Milan’s key attacking figures for the 2026 Serie A season to date.
| Player | Appearances | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| Christian Pulisic | 16 | 8 |
| Rafael Leão | 15 | 5 |
| Christopher Nkunku | 28 | 5 |
The table underscores that despite Pulisic’s status as the club’s second‑leading scorer, his goal output has stalled for over five months.
Leão’s contribution has similarly waned, with his last goal recorded in early March.
Allegri’s acknowledgment that Pulisic “struggles more with the physicality of duels and the lack of a centre‑forward” provides insight into the tactical mismatch.
In a system that demands wingers to engage in aerial battles and hold‑up play, Pulisic’s agility and dribbling are less effective.
Historically, Milan’s most successful periods featured a central striker to anchor attacks, allowing wingers to cut inside and create space.
The current configuration reverses that dynamic, forcing the wide players into a more defensive mindset.
Looking ahead, Milan have four league fixtures remaining, all against teams positioned in the bottom half of the table.
These matches represent realistic opportunities for the Rossoneri to close the goal gap and secure a Champions League berth.
Allegri expressed satisfaction with the point gained against Juventus, noting it brings Milan “one small step forward” in the title race.
He also emphasized that the team is now six points away from mathematically clinching their season target.
Should Milan secure victories in the upcoming games, the statistical odds of reaching the required 13 additional goals improve markedly.
Conversely, a continued drought could see the club slip further behind league leaders Inter and miss out on European competition.
The USMNT’s upcoming World Cup campaign adds another layer of urgency for Pulisic to rediscover his scoring touch.
In the United States setup, he will operate in a role that maximises his creative instincts without the burden of being the primary finisher.
Analysts note that this differentiation between club and country responsibilities could aid Pulisic’s confidence heading into the tournament.
Allegri concluded by assuring fans that Pulisic will make a meaningful contribution before the season ends.
His statement reflects a belief that the player’s quality will eventually translate into tangible results, despite the current tactical constraints.
For Milan supporters, the immediate concern remains the balance between defensive resilience and the pressing need for goals.
The club’s leadership will need to decide whether to maintain the 3‑5‑2 framework or adjust personnel to introduce a dedicated striker.
Such a decision will have direct implications for Pulisic’s role, confidence and overall impact on the pitch.
In sum, the convergence of tactical choices, player form and upcoming fixtures defines a pivotal moment for AC Milan and Christian Pulisic alike.
