Milan ended their pre-season tour of Asia in emphatic fashion, dismantling Perth Glory with a 9-0 victory in Western Australia. While the performance offered glimpses of attacking brilliance and tactical experimentation under Massimiliano Allegri, one notable absence raised questions: Christian Pulisic was nowhere to be seen.
The American international, a crucial figure in the Rossoneri’s attacking setup, was left out of the squad for the friendly — sparking speculation among fans and pundits alike. So, why was Pulisic unavailable for Milan’s final pre-season clash?
Despite the absence of their No. 11, Milan showed no mercy against a struggling Perth Glory side, with Noah Okafor and Rafael Leão both netting braces, and Samuel Chukwueze and Yunus Musah adding to the tally. Even teenage midfielder Christian Comotto earned a penalty and scored a cheeky panenka, showcasing the depth Allegri has at his disposal.
From the opening whistle, the Serie A giant looked sharp. Just three minutes in, Filippo Terracciano opened the scoring, and Okafor’s clinical finishes soon gave the Rossoneri a commanding lead. In the second half, Leao came off the bench and needed only 15 seconds to score, while Samuele Ricci’s top-corner strike raised eyebrows as one of the goals of the match.
Yet, even as fans cheered Milan’s offensive showcase, the absence of Christian Pulisic didn’t go unnoticed.
The real reason behind Pulisic’s absence
According to MilanNews, the decision to sideline Pulisic was precautionary. The 25-year-old suffered a minor ankle knock in Milan’s 4-2 victory over Liverpool earlier in the tour.
“Christian Pulisic was unavailable for Milan’s friendly against Perth Glory due to a minor injury sustained against Liverpool,” the outlet reported. “Coach Massimiliano Allegri decided not to risk the American forward for the final pre-season match.”
The knock is not expected to keep him out long-term, and sources close to the club suggest he will return to training ahead of the club’s upcoming fixtures in Italy. Having just begun his third season at San Siro, Pulisic has become a pivotal figure in Allegri’s evolving project, tallying 32 goals in 100 appearances across all competitions since arriving from Chelsea in 2023.
