Pulisic Defends Balogun's Tackle, Expresses Happiness with Milan's New Additions

Christian Pulisic has voiced his belief that his teammate Folarin Balogun had no ill intentions when he committed a tackle that initially resulted in a red card. The suspension of this red card, a decision Pulisic is pleased with, allows Balogun to participate in crucial upcoming matches. "The most important thing is that Flo can be on the pitch," Pulisic stated.

The AC Milan and USMNT star shared his thoughts on FIFA's unprecedented decision to overturn the red card issued to Balogun during the match against Bosnia and Herzegovina. This reversal means Balogun is now eligible to play in the World Cup Round of 16 game against Belgium. The appeal has, however, drawn sharp criticism from the Belgian FA, UEFA, and FIGC President Giovanni Malagò.

Pulisic: Balogun's Initial Red Card Was 'Genuinely Too Harsh'

Speaking to Gazzetta, Pulisic reflected on the incident: "If you look back at the foul, there was no intention to cause harm. I’ve seen much worse challenges in this World Cup. It was an extremely harsh card." He added that the team has approached the situation professionally, without seeking controversy, and believes this approach has yielded positive results.

"It’s not for me to say whether justice was served or to comment on the controversy, but I believe many might think that the initial decision was genuinely too harsh," Pulisic continued. He explained that the appeal was lodged with confidence in its potential success, emphasizing the significance of Balogun's availability. "We appealed because we thought there was a very good chance it would be accepted, and here we are: now the most important thing is that Flo can be on the pitch."

Pulisic highlighted Balogun's consistent contribution to the team: "He [Balogun] always offers a solution, making everything simpler." He acknowledged Balogun's status as the team's top scorer but affirmed the squad's readiness to perform regardless of his presence, stating, "We were also prepared to play without him. We’ve prepared for every scenario." Looking ahead to the match against Belgium, Pulisic asserted, "Belgium are very strong, but we won’t change our style of play. We want to remain aggressive and true to our identity. We know we can compete, and even dominate certain moments of the match, even against the best national teams in the world."

When asked if the upcoming match against Belgium is the most significant game of his career, Pulisic offered a nuanced perspective. "It depends on how you look at it… I’ve played in a Champions League final, but with my national team, it’s a colossal challenge," he replied. He also commented on the growing popularity of soccer in the United States, attributing it partly to the World Cup being hosted there. "Every year I see our movement growing. Having the World Cup in the United States is helping many people truly understand what this sport represents globally, and many are becoming increasingly passionate about it."

The conversation also touched upon the significant changes at AC Milan since Pulisic joined the USMNT for the World Cup. The club has appointed Ruben Amorim as their new head coach and secured the signing of Gonçalo Ramos for a club-record fee. Pulisic expressed his contentment with these developments: "Yes, certainly, but right now, only the World Cup exists. Or rather, Belgium…"