WORLD SOCCER
AC Milan worry over USMNT star Christian Pulisic before start of Serie A
Former Chelsea attacker Pulisic starred on the preseason tour of the United States but is a fitness doubt for the new Italian league season.
The 2024/25 Serie A season gets underway this coming weekend, with the league’s top players back in club action after busy summers playing in international tournaments. Among them is USMNT captain Christian Pulisic, who AC Milan have some concerns over ahead of their first league fixture against Torino on Saturday.
Why isn’t Pulisic playing against Monza in the Berlusconi trophy?
The American isn’t playing for the Rossoneri against Monza in the Berlusconi Trophy on Tuesday after suffering a knock to his ankle. Milan’s main focus is on giving Pulisic the best possible chance of being ready to play in their Serie A debut at the weekend. New head coach Paulo Fonseca has therefore opted not to take any risks with the 25-year-old, with reports suggesting he still has a chance of featuring at San Siro at the weekend.
Pulisic is expected to be an important player for the seven-time European champions under Fonseca, just as he was last year when Stefano Pioli was in charge.
Milan coach Fonesca praises USMNT’s Pulisic
The American was hugely impressive in Milan’s last preseason game against Barcelona, scoring one goal and assisting another.
“Pulisic played as a number 10. In the second half, we started without a striker, we played with two number 10s, Pulisic and Loftus-Cheek. Pulisic can play in every position in attack. He’s a very intelligent player, I like to see him more involved in that position (in a central role),” Fonseca explained after 2-2 draw with Barça.
The former Chelsea and Borussia Dortmund forward enjoyed a superb debut season in Italy, scoring 15 goals and creating 11 more for his teammates in all competitions for Milan.