Milan Clinch Vital Win as Pulisic and Gimenez Deliver
The mood at San Siro was somber at kickoff, with both teams and fans pausing for a minute's silence to honor Pope Francis. But any sense of quiet quickly gave way to a lively, nerve-ridden match, where AC Milan asserted themselves almost immediately against struggling visitors Venezia.
Within just five minutes, Christian Pulisic made his mark. Exploiting a nervous backline, he intercepted a rushed clearance, deftly controlled Youssouf Fofana's sharp pass, and buried his tenth Serie A goal of the season beyond Andrei Radu. That early breakthrough set the tone, forcing Venezia to chase the game—a position they haven't thrived in this season. The American winger's movement and ability to punish mistakes kept Milan in the driver's seat, even as Venezia pressed forward for an equalizer.
For large stretches of the first half, Venezia held more of the ball, moving it with urgency and confidence rarely seen from a team near the foot of the table. But their old issues reappeared in cruel fashion: promising build-up play fizzled in front of goal, with misfired shots and harmless headers greeting most of their set-piece opportunities. Milan’s backline, organized and alert, snuffed out threat after threat, especially defending corners and free-kicks—areas where Venezia has tended to gamble for points.
Despite their territory, the home side remained calm. Coach Stefano Pioli's decision to stick with the 3-4-3 system proved wise. The extra defender kept the box tidy, while Fofana and Loftus-Cheek provided legs in midfield, breaking up Venezia's spells of possession. The system not only offered more balance, but it brought out the best in players like Pulisic, who was named MVP for his energy, commitment, and crucial goal. Behind him, Milan’s defense showed a new-found grit, keeping their opponents at bay despite several dicey moments before halftime.
Gimenez Breaks the Drought, Venezia Left Struggling
For much of the second half, the contest hung in the balance. Venezia threw more bodies forward, desperately looking to spark their escape from the bottom three. Milan, content to absorb pressure, waited for their moment to counter. It took until the dying embers of stoppage time for them to strike again and settle the nerves inside the stadium.
Santiago Gimenez, who hasn't had the easiest run in Milan colors, had been searching for his lost goal touch for weeks. This time, when Calabria whipped a cross into the box, the Mexican striker was perfectly positioned to pounce. He volleyed home for his second goal in back-to-back games, sealing the points and offering fans hope that he’s finding top form just when it’s needed most. You could sense the relief—not just among supporters, but in his own celebration. After weeks of criticism about his composure and finishing, Gimenez looked a different player, sharper and more confident under Milan's new system.
This win keeps AC Milan in ninth, but just a handful of points from the coveted European spots. That’s quite the turnaround from earlier in the season when consistency was sorely lacking. For Venezia, the result stings. With just 25 points and only a slim advantage over the drop zone, their lack of finishing remains an open wound, and time is running short. Their repeated reliance on set-pieces, instead of open play goals, continues to haunt them.
Milan’s tactical tweaks—switching to a 3-4-3, giving Pulisic license to roam, and showing faith in Gimenez—are paying off. With only a few weeks left in the campaign, every point and every goal will matter, both for survival and Europe. This contest was more than just numbers on a scoreboard. It was a story of missed chances for one side, redemption and renewed hope for the other.
