Pulisic explains Allegri’s ‘very Italian quality’: ‘You want to play for a guy like that’ – Football Italia

Milan and USMNT star Christian Pulisic has explained what makes head coach Massimiliano Allegri such an entertaining character to work for, and has revealed his one ‘very Italian quality’. 

Allegri will lead Milan into their game against his former club Juventus at the Allianz Stadium on Sunday afternoon. Kick-off is due at 19.45 BST. 

You can follow the action as it unfolds on the Football Italia Liveblog.

Pulisic: ‘Allegri is very passionate, that’s a very Italian quality’

Speaking in an interview with DAZN ahead of the Juventus-Milan clash on Sunday, Pulisic explained what it is like to work under the six-time Serie A winner. 

He’s very passionate. That’s a very Italian quality, which I love. You want to play for a guy like that, you want to play for a guy that would crash on a wall to win. I think that what makes him a very strong coach. He gives us energy.

“He knows how to bring the best out of this team. I think it’s very important for a coach. He doesn’t panic, it’s something I’ve noticed about him.”

Pulisic also explained how the Rossoneri tactician motivated his players after their surprise 2-1 defeat by newly-promoted Cremonese in the first week of the 2025-26 Serie A season. 

“For example, we lost the first game of the season. A lot of guys were pissed off in the locker room, but he has a calmness about him. He says: we are working, it’s only the first game, we’re gonna get on the right path.”

Pulisic also went on to speak about what life has been like for him since moving to Italy, an experience that he describes as a period of adaptation.

“I’ve learned a lot from a tactical perspective, facing different teams. They way we defend. Different systems and different ways to play football. I think I’ve learned a lot of that coming to Italy.

“You adapt a little bit to the lifestyle, I enjoy it a lot. I have an Italian grandmother. I’ve always been a little bit Italian and now I feel even more so.”

And if he had to pick one favourite Italian meal: “It’s a whole different thing. It’s tough to choose my favourite dish. I love a simple carbonara, it’s hard to beat that.”