Bad news for Christian Pulisic ahead of crucial Champions League game

AC Milan can take a big step towards the knock-out rounds of the Champions League when they take on Girona on Wednesday. The Italian giants currently sit 12th in the league phase standings, just one point off the automatic qualification places.

On home turf Milan will be the favourites against Girona but their task is made more difficult by the expected absence of Christian Pulisic. The USMNT star suffered a left hamstring injury during last week’s game against Como 1907 and the latest update on his fitness does not make positive reading for fans of the Rossoneri.

Head coach Sergio Conceicao has confirmed that Pulisic is still struggling with the knock and is very unlikely to play against Girona.

“We have training tomorrow morning, let’s see how it goes,” Conceicao told reporters. “I don’t want to risk losing him for a month or two. If he’s 100 percent and can help, I’ll bring him to the bench - otherwise, I won’t.”

USMNT teammate could fill Pulisic’s spot

Pulisic has found form in the Champions League this season, contributing three goals and an assist in five appearances, notably creating one of the goals in the 3-1 victory over Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu.

During his 18 months in Italy Pulisic has largely been deployed on the right wing, albeit with the freedom to drift inside and influence the game. Milan do not have a direct replacement for his incisive running and on-ball inventiveness, but an international teammate of Pulisic’s could provide an alternative.

Yunus Musah could fill the void in the short term, bringing plenty of energy on the right flank. The 22-year-old - who was previously a more defensive midfielder - has been played out wide at points this season and could provide a good counter-point to the more expressive Rafael Leão on the other wing.

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