Italian Press Rate Niclas Fullkrug’s First AC Milan Start As Surprise Christian Pulisic Point Made

The Italian press have had their say on a first AC Milan start for Niclas Fullkrug at the weekend.

AC Milan Held To Dramatic Fiorentina Draw

Massimiliano Allegri’s Scudetto chasers were forced to settle for a point for the second game running, this time against Fiorentina. The setback came just three days after the 1-1 draw with Genoa at the San Siro.

Milan carved out several golden chances in the first half in Florence but squandered them. They then found themselves behind shortly after the hour mark when Pietro Comuzzo headed home smartly from a corner.

But, just as the Rossoneri looked set to slump further behind table toppers Inter, their blushes were spared.

On the stroke of 90 minutes, Youssouf Fofana slipped Christopher Nkunku through on goal, and the under-fire €42million frontman blasted clinically home at the near post.

Milan survived another scare deep inside stoppage time after Marco Brescianini hit the woodwork. They were given another crucial let-off on Sunday, when Inter failed to pull clear after drawing 2-2 with Napoli.

How Niclas Fullkrug Performed On First Milan Start

Fullkrug, signed from West Ham on loan until the end of the season, was given his first start in Italy, while Rafael Leao replaced him off the bench during the second half.

The 32-year-old, a physical presence brought in to add a new dimension to Allegri’s frontline, delivered a steady performance, with the Italian press singling out his combinations with Christian Pulisic as a major positive.

Tuttosport gave him a 6/10 rating, writing: “He lost three balls in 15 minutes but set up Pulisic in as many.”

Calciomercato dished out the same rating before adding: “The start of the match isn’t exactly thrilling, with five turnovers out of five passes.

“Then he enters his comfort zone on the edge of the penalty area with his back to goal and sets up two perfect through balls for Pulisic, who wastes them all alone in front of [David] De Gea. Overall, a positive performance.”

Eurosport were equally positive.

Awarding a 6.5, they wrote: “He doesn’t score, but he does the job that Milan needed.

“He defends the ball, brings it down, and constantly looks for Christian Pulisic as if the two had been playing together for years. Surprising.”

Tuttosport gave him a 6, believing his overall display was poor, other than his link-up play with Pulisic. Il Messaggero, meanwhile, also praised the two players’ burgeoning connection as ‘excellent’.

Leggo handed out a 5.5, urging Fullkrug to show more quality in front of goal.

🗣️ Fullkrug spoke to @DAZN_IT: “I don’t want to know anything about these things. For me, the number 9 means scoring goals. I don’t want to change my mind because of these things. Truth be told, I don’t care much what people think of me.” pic.twitter.com/ELlaqErZz9

— Milan Posts (@MilanPosts) January 11, 2026

Niclas Fullkrug’s Performance In Numbers

According to Sofascore, he created three chances in his 60-minute runout, while completing 10/12 accurate passes (83 per cent). Overall, he took 23 touches, including two inside Fiorentina’s penalty area.

There were two passes into the final third, and he demonstrated his physicality by being dispossessed just once.

He also played a crucial role at the back, making two clearances and winning one of his two aerial duels.

Fullkrug certainly showcased exactly why Milan were so keen to bring him in this month. However, he will eventually have to turn these promising glimpses into cold, hard goals.

Allegri wanted Moise Kean over the German, so the pressure to perform and prove him wrong is well and truly on.