Pulisic’s Return Boosts Milan Ahead of Parma Clash

omidbasir- Christian Pulisic was sidelined in October due to a hamstring injury incurred during a friendly match against Australia while representing the United States national team. This setback has caused frustration within AC Milan, as the club believes that USMNT coach Mauricio Pochettino unnecessarily risked Pulisic’s health by fielding him despite his prior ankle issues.

Milan officials are reportedly dissatisfied with the management of the situation, considering Pulisic’s significance in their attacking strategy. His absence coincided with a challenging period for the Rossoneri, who were also dealing with the injury of key midfielder Adrien Rabiot. The club views Pulisic’s impending return as a substantial enhancement to their offensive capabilities, given his vital contributions to creativity and goal-scoring.

To prevent further complications, AC Milan has negotiated with both the USMNT and the French national team to exclude Pulisic and Rabiot from forthcoming international call-ups.

In a pre-match press conference, coach Massimiliano Allegri confirmed that Pulisic has successfully completed his rehabilitation and is back in full training with the team. Allegri stated, “He has trained twice with the team, he is physically fit and already in good shape because he has a physique that doesn’t require extensive work.”

However, Allegri did not disclose the exact number of minutes Pulisic would be able to participate when Milan takes on Parma tomorrow, stating, “I don’t know how many minutes he’s got.”

Pulisic joined Milan from Chelsea in 2023, shortly after winning the Champions League with the London club. Since arriving, he has emerged as one of Milan’s most impactful players, netting 38 goals in 108 appearances across all competitions. His versatility, creativity, and tactical intelligence have made him an essential component of Allegri’s system this season.

Typically positioned as a second striker behind Santiago Gimenez, Pulisic plays a critical role in connecting the midfield with the attack. His ability to move effectively between the lines enables Milan to transition swiftly and exploit gaps in the opposition’s defense. His exceptional dribbling skills allow him to navigate past defenders with ease, as demonstrated by his remarkable run past a Napoli defender earlier this season, where he assisted Alexis Saelemaekers.

Beyond his technical prowess, Pulisic has exhibited impressive vision, consistently identifying teammates in advantageous positions and creating scoring chances through precise passing. His quick decision-making in tight situations has proven beneficial in dismantling organized defenses. Furthermore, his diligent work rate off the ball has been crucial to Milan’s overall structural integrity, as he often tracks back to support the midfield and full-backs, maintaining team balance during defensive transitions. Pulisic’s combination of creativity, discipline, and tactical awareness has made him an irreplaceable asset under Allegri, serving as a key connector between midfield and attack while infusing intelligence and energy into Milan’s play.

Milan legend and former midfielder Marcel Desailly believes that if Pulisic can remain injury-free, he has the potential to evolve into a great leader for the club. Desailly remarked, “I was very happy to see him coming to Milan. Last year, he had a decent season on and off. Unfortunately, he gets injured, and he lacks the consistency we expect from a leader in offensive play. However, he possesses incredible talent and is expected to spearhead that offensive animation.”

AC Milan will travel to the Enzo Tardini on Saturday to face Parma, aiming to secure all three points and close the gap on league leaders Napoli.