He can miss too: he's human. Now we have proof. After a brilliant start to the season -4 goals and 2 assists in 6 games, plus Milan's MVP award for September- the American's magic run has come to a halt. In the 53rd minute, at a decisive moment to break open a slow-paced, chance-starved Juventus-Milan match, Pulisic sent his penalty over the bar, despite sending Di Gregorio the wrong way to his left.

Pulisic penalty miss pic.twitter.com/lGdtZr0hSq

— BI_1897 (@BI_1897) October 5, 2025

Milan have now missed 5 of their last 7 penalties -7 out of 13 if you go further back- the worst record among Europe's top five leagues. Yet, until yesterday, Pulisic had been the team's most reliable taker: 4 out of 5 converted last season. After the miss, there was a lighthearted exchange with Max Allegri, who joked: "I told you not to hit it with the inside of your foot..." The two shared a bitter smile, and Pulisic went back on the pitch with the determination of someone eager to make amends, after a first half where he had struggled to find the right space between the lines to trouble Juventus.

Despite the error, Allegri made sure to defend Christian afterward: "He's still our penalty taker. He had a fantastic game." Pulisic later apologized on social media, writing: "It kills me to let this club down. Will work 10x harder to make things right. Forza Milan sempre."

In the 74th minute, Pulisic made way for Nkunku, who finished the match up front alongside Leão. That partnership -or rather, how to make it work- could define Milan's season. With Giménez, who does plenty of back-to-goal work and then attacks the box, Pulisic enjoys the freedom to roam across the attacking midfield. With Leão, less of a pure No.9 and more inclined to drift wide into the same areas Pulisic likes to occupy, the risk is that they get in each other's way. Much of Milan's ambition this season will depend on how well the two can link up in the coming weeks. One thing, however, is certain: Christian Pulisic is untouchable: as a starter, as Milan's offensive reference point, and even as their penalty taker. Despite a costly miss like yesterday's.

Now, the American heads off for international duty, with two friendlies on the horizon: Ecuador on October 11 and Australia on October 15. The USMNT will enjoy a deluxe version of Pulisic -one determined to keep building on one of the best stretches of his career.