Pulisic and Tillman Return to Action Amidst Club Challenges

Just under a month after sustaining an injury while representing the U.S. national team against Australia, Christian Pulisic has returned to training and is poised to play against Parma. At 27, he is not expected to start; instead, La Gazzetta dello Sport has indicated that he may enter the game in the final hour. Whether he contributes for an hour or only 15 minutes, this is a favorable development for both club and country, despite his omission from the November USMNT roster. Initial reports concerning his injury had raised alarm, making it reassuring that he has been sidelined for only a few weeks rather than months.

Further insights have emerged regarding Pulisic’s absence from the USMNT and AC Milan’s strategy for his return this weekend. Though Max Allegri has not publicly commented on the matter, Gazzetta noted that the upcoming Derby della Madonnina on November 23—always a top priority for the club—has influenced the management of Pulisic’s recovery. He has been a standout player for Milan this season, contributing four goals and two assists in just six league matches. Milan’s performance has dipped in his absence, winning only one of their last four matches, including a disappointing draw against Pisa. The clash against 16th-placed Parma presents Allegri with an opportunity to test tactics and evaluate options ahead of the derby.

The report also highlighted that Milan’s CEO, Giorgio Furlani, negotiated with U.S. Soccer to allow Pulisic to forgo the November matches to regain full fitness, shedding light on his decision to remain in Italy. Nonetheless, Parma, managed by Benjamin Cremaschi, will not take the role of a mere warm-up opponent lightly. With only one victory this season and sitting just above the relegation zone, they will be eager to capitalize on their situation. The 19-year-old American, who has seen limited playing time since joining from Inter Miami, will be looking for more opportunities, especially considering Parma’s struggle to score, having netted only five goals this season.

Cardoso, who recently returned to Atlético Madrid’s matchday squad following a lengthy injury absence, has yet to feature in either of the club’s two matches this month—comfortable wins over Sevilla and Union SG. His return coincided with Atlético’s productive period, scoring six goals in those fixtures, yet he remains without minutes since recovering. Cardoso joined from Real Betis for a $34.8 million transfer earlier this year, and expectations were high due to his consistent performances in La Liga last season, helping Betis reach the Europa Conference League final. However, he struggled to regain form before his injury, and Atlético’s form has improved in his absence. As the World Cup approaches, regular playing time is crucial for the American international to rebuild his rhythm.

Atlético is set to face 16th-place Levante this weekend after their midweek Champions League fixture, and squad rotation is anticipated, potentially allowing Cardoso to return to action. If he remains on the bench, questions regarding his future role and the possibility of a loan in January may arise.

Not long ago, Richards’ Crystal Palace were among the early stories in the Premier League, enjoying a Champions League position after a 2-1 victory over then-league leaders Liverpool. However, since that victory, Palace has managed just one league win—a November 1 result against Brentford. A key difference has been defensive performance; during their strong start, Palace conceded only two goals while achieving two clean sheets in the first four matches, averaging 0.50 goals against per game. Post-October, that average has surged to 1.50.

This trend points to a broader issue of squad depth. Last season, Palace maintained a stable defense, in part due to fewer fixtures. This year, competing in Europe has stretched the squad, which added limited reinforcements following several summer departures. Manager Oliver Glasner has expressed frustration with U.S. Soccer for not accommodating his request to rest Richards, who has been managing a minor injury. Despite his absence from the USMNT’s November roster, Richards has continued to play regularly for Palace, logging 90 minutes in each of the club’s four matches since the last international break.

Palace will host a resurgent Brighton side this weekend. The Seagulls, who struggled early on due to key offseason departures, have regained form, with former Inter Miami winger Diego Gómez scoring twice against Leeds last week. Brighton is just one point behind Palace, currently sitting in 10th place.

Palace can climb as high as fourth depending on other results, and their ability to maintain momentum relies on whether Richards can continue to perform during this busy period.

Similarly, Malik Tillman also returned from an injury sustained during the last international break, making an impact in Bayer Leverkusen’s 1-0 Champions League victory over Benfica this week. Tillman’s tenure at his new Bundesliga club has been inconsistent; the manager who recruited him, Erik ten Hag, was dismissed after three matches, leaving the attacking midfielder to adjust under new coach Kasper Hjulmand. Prior to his injury, Tillman had delivered a strong performance during a friendly against Ecuador, assisting Folarin Balogun for the equalizer.

Tillman entered the match against Benfica as a substitute and played 34 minutes. With Leverkusen facing last-place 1. FC Heidenheim this Saturday, he could see increased playing time. The 23-year-old has scored two goals in the Bundesliga this season, following a productive term at PSV Eindhoven last year where he netted 12 goals.