Christian Pulisic hailed AC Milan’s win at home to Champions League winners Real Madrid as a “really special night” as the American star helped the Italian side to a memorable 3-1 win at the Bernabeu on Tuesday.
Pulisic gave the away team the lead with a corner kick to Malik Thiau in the 12th minute of the second half, and additional goals from Alvaro Morata and Tijani Lijnders ensured Milan’s consecutive wins.
“It’s an amazing result for us,” Pulisic told CBS Sports. “I mean it’s not easy to come here and play, of course because of our history in the Champions League.
“It’s a tough place to come and play, so for us to be able to make a performance like that and win the game was definitely a really special night for us.”
Vinícius Júnior equalized from the 23rd penalty spot for Madrid after being tripped in the box.
However, as Milan came from behind to win, Pulisic once again took on the role. A pass into the box allowed Rafael Leo to block Andriy Lunin’s shot, but Morata headed home the rebound to give the visitors the lead against his former club.
Morata has already received a hostile reception from the home fans, who clearly remember the goal he scored to send Juventus into the 2015 final at the team’s expense.
Reijnders scored Milan’s third goal, much to the frustration of the home fans at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.
Milan now have six points and sit in 14th place in the new Champions League league stage after four of eight games played. This should be enough to advance to the quarterfinals of the playoffs.
But it has been a rough start to the season in Serie A, with Paulo Fonseca’s side sitting in seventh place ahead of Saturday’s trip to Cagliari.
Pulisic added: “Our coach said enjoy tonight and rest tomorrow because we have a big game this weekend. If we don’t win it means nothing.”
“So we tried to enjoy a little celebration as a team tonight, but we’ll get right back to work tomorrow.”
Information from the Associated Press contributed to this report.
