Milan rely on Pulisic’s early run as Hutchinson sparks comeback

Christian Pulisic broke the deadlock within six minutes, sprinting into space as Luka Modric’s quick free‑kick floated over the top, while Omari Hutchinson added a second after parrying Ardon Jashari’s effort, sealing a 2‑0 Serie A victory for AC Milan at Udinese’s Stadio Friuli.

Pulisic’s strike came after he timed the off‑side trap perfectly. Modric collected a free‑kick and delivered a rapid ball over the defence, allowing Pulisic to run onto it and finish. He recalled a similar off‑side goal last season, saying he was unsure whether to celebrate.

Hutchinson, on loan from Nottingham Forest, seized the rebound from a parried Ardon Jashari shot to double Milan’s lead. After being substituted he handed his debut shirt to a child in the stands, saying the jersey meant more to him than the goal. Pulisic, meanwhile, kept the shirt from his first Milan goal and gave it to his mother.

Pressure after Europa League loss

The Rossoneri entered the Udinese match under pressure after Thursday’s 3‑0 Europa League defeat away to Bournemouth. The loss left the side seeking to restore confidence in Serie A. The match took place in UDINE, Italy, on October 25, 2026.

Rotated squad missing key players

A host of regulars were unavailable: Adrien Rabiot, Diego Moreira, Mario Gila, Samuel Chukwueze, Matteo Gabbia, Alexis Saelemaekers and Pietro Terracciano. Coach opted for extensive rotation, giving opportunities to newer faces. The changes highlighted the depth of Milan’s squad.

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Pulisic’s role and leadership

“When Modric has the ball and a little time, my job is to run into space and be ready,” Pulisic told Italia. He added, “There are many leaders in the team. I am not someone who talks a lot, but with so many injuries today, everyone did really well.” He also stressed the need for early intensity, noting, “We’ve got to start games the way we did today, because there are other matches where we take a little time to get into gear.”

Hutchinson arrived late in the transfer window on loan with an option to buy from Nottingham Forest. He expressed delight at scoring, noting, “I don’t really care, I’ve got my Milan debut shirt, which is more important,” and highlighted his desire to inspire children. The youngster’s contribution underlines the club’s faith in his potential.

When asked about the upcoming Ballon d’Or, Hutchinson guessed the winner would be either Harry Kane or Kylian Mbappé. The award will be presented tomorrow evening in London, adding another talking point to the night.

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The 2‑0 win gave AC Milan three points, easing the pressure that followed the Bournemouth setback and providing a positive start to their Serie A campaign. The victory also demonstrated the effectiveness of the rotated squad under challenging circumstances.