Christian Pulisic had gone 266 days without a Serie A goal when Lecce arrived at San Siro on 20 September. Fourteen minutes later, the wait was over.
His opener in Milan’s 3–0 win was his first league goal since scoring against Verona on 28 December 2025. Between those goals, Pulisic took 39 Serie A shots without scoring. The Lecce finish came with attempt number 40.
For anyone reading Milan player markets through vippari, the bigger change is his return to regular minutes after an injury-hit summer. Milan are again using him as a central part of the attack.
The return started before the Lecce goal
Pulisic’s difficult start had a physical explanation. During the United States’ World Cup round-of-16 defeat to Belgium, he suffered a microfracture and bone bruise in his right leg.
Rúben Amorim brought him back gradually:
- Pulisic returned from the bench against Lazio and supplied an assist.
- His first league start came against Lecce on 20 September.
- He scored after 14 minutes and was voted Milan’s MVP.
- During the next international period, he stayed at Milanello rather than joining the USMNT.
- By 11 October, he was back in Milan’s starting XI against Sassuolo.
Mauricio Pochettino used an experimental US squad for that window, leaving out several senior players. Milan used the break to keep building Pulisic’s fitness.
Amorim has a role that suits him
Against Lecce, Pulisic played behind the striker in Milan’s 3-4-2-1. He found space between midfield and defence and helped start the move for Adrien Rabiot’s second goal with a backheel.
The role keeps him closer to goal. He can receive between the lines and arrive in the box rather than spending long periods wide.
Milan were still unbeaten in Serie A after the Lecce game. By 11 October, before facing Sassuolo, they were fifth with 11 points from five matches, with 10 goals scored and four conceded.
The club had also changed heavily around him. Amorim arrived as coach, while published transfer ledgers put Milan’s summer spending at more than €160 million. Gonçalo Ramos, Diego Moreira and Mario Gila accounted for much of it.
Milan have restarted the contract conversation
Pulisic’s contract expires on 30 June 2027. Milan hold an option for another season, through June 2028.
Talks had opened earlier, slowed down and have now resumed. Reports in late September and early October said Gerry Cardinale wants Pulisic tied to Milan until 2031. One reported framework would raise his salary to at least €5 million net per season, plus bonuses. No final agreement has been announced.
Milan’s position was already clear in the summer. New York City FC explored a move, but Milan did not want to sell. NYCFC president Brad Sims later acknowledged that publicly.
Betting markets need more than one goal
Pulisic’s return affects several Milan markets. Anytime-scorer and shots lines are the clearest, especially as he moves back towards regular starts. The Lecce goal matters, but so does the 39-shot drought before it.
Expected minutes may be even more useful. Starting behind the striker should bring more touches around the box than a short substitute appearance, which can affect shot totals, scorer prices and Milan’s team-goal markets.
Over 2.5 goals and both-teams-to-score depend on the team as a whole, while top-four and European qualification markets reflect results across the season. Live prices can also move once the starting XI is confirmed.
On the same platform, vippari canlı casino sits separately from football markets. Milan’s line-up, injuries and Pulisic’s form matter for sports prices, not casino outcomes.
Form has changed the contract story
A month ago, the focus was mainly on recovery. Pulisic was coming back from a World Cup injury and entering the final guaranteed year of his contract.
Now he has an assist and a goal from his first league appearances back, scored on his 40th shot after a 266-day Serie A drought and returned to the starting side. Milan, meanwhile, are again discussing a deal running to 2031.
The next step is less dramatic: Pulisic needs a run of starts. If the minutes keep producing chances and goals, the contract talks will have stronger ground beneath them.
