AC Milan Triumphs in Italian Super Cup: Leao and Pulisic Lead Stunning 3-2 Comeback Against Inter

Leao and Pulisic Lead Stunning 3-2 Comeback Against Inter

Sergio Conceição made a remarkable start as AC Milan's head coach, winning his first trophy just one week after his appointment. Milan secured a thrilling 3-2 comeback victory against city rivals Inter Milan in the Italian Super Cup final. This dramatic win followed another comeback in the semifinals against Juventus, signaling Conceição’s immediate impact on the team.

Rafael Leão played a pivotal role in Milan’s comeback, coming off the bench to influence all three goals. Theo Hernández curled in a free kick to start the revival, Christian Pulisic equalized with a sharp finish, and Tammy Abraham sealed the victory with a stoppage-time goal. The triumph marked Milan’s first Super Cup title since 2016 and their eighth overall.

Conceição’s approach focused on instilling confidence and hunger in his players. “We played with confidence, courage, and hunger,” said Abraham, with Pulisic adding that Conceição emphasized mentality over tactics. Despite claiming he wasn’t in the role to make friends, Conceição celebrated exuberantly with his team, dancing and smoking a cigar after the match.

Inter initially dominated, with Lautaro Martínez scoring in the first half and Mehdi Taremi adding a second just after halftime. However, Milan’s counterattacks turned the tide. Leão earned the foul that led to Hernández’s goal, set up Pulisic’s equalizer, and initiated the play that resulted in Abraham’s winner.

The win underscored a fresh start for Milan under Conceição, who replaced Paulo Fonseca after a challenging first half of the season. Players like Hernández acknowledged their role in Fonseca’s dismissal and noted the team’s quick adaptation to Conceição’s methods. The victory also boosts Milan’s confidence as they return to Serie A action.

Inter, meanwhile, will reflect on their collapse after gaining a 2-0 lead. Lautaro Martínez admitted the team stopped playing with urgency, a costly mistake against a team like Milan. Despite their strong season so far, this defeat marks Inter’s third loss across all competitions and highlights areas for improvement as they move forward.