A physical centre midfielder, Pulga started his career at Serie D amateurs Carpi; after a rather unsuccessful loan at Bologna (no first team appearances), he moved back into professionalism in 1984 by joining Serie C1 club Modena. In 1985, he joined Cagliari, then in Serie C1 as well; from 1989 to 1991 he was one of the protagonists, as team captain and established fan favourite player, of the club's two consecutive promotions to Serie A under the tenure of Claudio Ranieri.
