WATCH: With a goal and an assist, USMNT star Christian Pulisic leads Milan to comeback victory against Bologna in encouraging Coppa Italia final tuneup

Pulisic played hero for Milan Friday, assisting the Rossoneri's equalizing goal, and scoring the winner as they overturned a 1-0 deficit against Bologna. Mexico international Santi Gimenez added a brace for Milan in the 3-1 comeback win.

The American was quiet for the first half, operating on the periphery of the game, and his side struggled to find a foothold. By the break, he had completed just seven passes.

But the game opened up soon after. Bologna struck first, Riccardo Orsolini cutting inside before angling a fine strike into the bottom corner after 49 minutes. It was enough to wake Milan up - and Pulisic was the beneficiary. He assisted the first with a clever flick, diverting a deflected cross into the path of Gimenez, who slotted through the keeper's legs.

The American scored the second soon after, reacting first to a loose ball and passing the ball past a sprawling keeper from close range.

Bologna probed for answers, pushing men forward, but struggled to create opportunities. And Milan took advantage, as Gimenez put the game away for good in stoppage time, lashing home to secure an important three points.

After the match, Pulisic praised Gimenez, saying, "The MVP was up to him."

Milan remain three points out of a Champions League spot with two games to play. Their focus is on the Coppa Italia final on Wednesday - against the same opponent.

A win there would not only bring in some all-important silverware after a poor season, but also secure a spot in the 2025-26 Europa League.

"If you win two titles you can't say it was a bad season,"* Pulisic said. *"We're not satisfied with the standings, but we have a great opportunity to win two titles."

Pulisic is now tied for the Serie A lead in goals among midfielders, level with Scott McTominay, who has found the net 11 times for Napoli.

As part of a Mother's Day celebration, AC Milan's players wore jerseys displaying their mothers' surnames - rather than their own - on the back. AC Milan were the first Italian club to do the initiative last season.

Giménez dedicated his first brace in a Milan jersey to his mother.

"Mother is the most important there is, dedicating goals to her is special," said the striker.

Unlike at Feyenoord, where Gimenez was an undisputed starter, with the Italian club he has had to earn his minutes coming off the bench. This was his sixth consecutive Serie A match as a substitute, with his last start under the Portuguese coach dating back to March 15.

"I have to be ready when it's my turn, but not only me, the whole team," he said. "Whoever comes in makes a difference. For the coach it's good if we are ready. I'm ready, either from the start or in a game in progress."

The Italian side's focus now shifts to the Coppa Italia final, where they will take on Bologna.

GOAL's Alejandro Orellana contributed to this report