The excitement is building for Milan’s doubleheader of high-profile pre-season friendlies this weekend, with Leeds United and Chelsea providing the final tests before the Serie A season kicks off. The Rossoneri fans were eager to see Christian Pulisic back in action, but that won’t be happening. The reason behind his absence remains a talking point, and one that has left supporters wondering whether his recovery will align with Milan’s competitive start next week.
This match against Leeds will not only mark the first of two consecutive fixtures against Premier League opposition, but it will also be a significant measuring stick for Massimiliano Allegri’s squad. Coming off an eventful pre-season tour with two wins and one loss in Asia and Australia, the Italian side has shown flashes of promise. Yet, with the season opener just around the corner, the 57-year-old boss’ main challenge is balancing match sharpness with the need to avoid unnecessary risks.
Milan’s tour of Asia and Oceania has been a mixed bag of challenges and triumphs. Two wins and one loss, including a dominant 9-0 victory over Perth Glory, have given Allegri reasons to be optimistic. His squad is beginning to gel, with new signings showing early promise, and established stars like Rafael Leao leading from the front.
This weekend’s matches against Leeds and Chelsea, however, are more than just tune-ups. With the Coppa Italia opener against Bari on August 17 and the Serie A kickoff against Cremonese on August 23, Allegri is expected to use these friendlies to fine-tune his tactical setups and test squad depth.
While some players — including Luka Modric and Santiago Gimenez — are set to get valuable minutes, one absence stands out. Supporters in the UK and Ireland who hoped to see Pulisic take the pitch will be left waiting a little longer.
see also
VIDEO: New Milan arrival Luka Modric asked Christian Pulisic if he spoke Croatian — His hilarious five-word reply broke the internet
The mystery behind Pulisic’s absence revealed
Multiple Italian outlets have addressed the uncertainty surrounding Pulisic’s status. La Gazzetta dello Sport reported: “Pulisic is still not fully fit and is still suffering from discomfort in the ankle he sustained in the friendly against Liverpool in Hong Kong, which caused him to miss the Perth game.”
That injury occurred when Milan faced Liverpool in Hong Kong, part of their Asian preseason leg. Pulisic was forced off at halftime, replaced by Noah Okafor. Despite initial optimism that he could return for the final friendlies in Europe, his recovery has been slower than anticipated.
MilanNews added that there is no concern about long-term damage: “Everything is preparatory for his return next week, when he should be ready to face Bari in the Coppa Italia.” In other words, the Rossoneri are taking no risks with one of their most important attacking pieces, especially for matches with no points on the line.
Without the American, Allegri is likely to rely on Alexis Saelemaekers on the right wing, with Rafael Leao continuing to occupy the left flank. Either Noah Okafor or Santiago Gimenez could fill the centre-forward spot.
