Last year, Christian Pulisic scored his first unofficial goal for AC Milan in the first edition of the Silvio Berlusconi Trophy at the U-Power Stadium against Monza, but this time he will sit out.
Despite a good pre-season in the United States, La Gazzetta dello Sport (via MilanNews) reports that Pulisic will miss the last summer friendly match scheduled for this evening at San Siro at 21:00 CEST due to a knock to his ankle.
However, the paper add that the American is not at risk for the first league match which will be played again at San Siro on Saturday 17 August against Torino, at 20:45 CEST.
The exclusion from tonight’s match should therefore be interpreted only as a precautionary measure, given that competitive action begins in just a few days and all players need to be as close to 100% as possible.
La Gazzetta suggest that head coach Paulo Fonseca will adapt to the news by playing Ruben Loftus-Cheek in a more advanced midfield role, just as he did under Stefano Pioli last season.
Then, Tijjani Reijnders will come into the midfield double pivot and the two wingers either side of Loftus-Cheek will be Samuel Chukwueze on the right and Rafael Leao on the left.
Acmilan we need an attacking midfield we are lacking in that area let’s map out Money and sign Samardzic Lazar
pulisic, reinjders and rlc can play as an AM its our most depth role. tell me one CDM we have though
Adli can play there too. Not to mention Liberali from the U23.
Adli is way too slow, he looked rubbish when we tried him there
Paqueta is and was slow too. Look at him now.
RLC as AM, boo, he can’t make pass, Reijnders doesn’t have the skillset, neither of them can fulfill the spot
GK- Mike, Sportiello, Torriani
LB- Theo, Mario Hermoso on a free transfer offering him 2 year deal with option given he’s 30 and can play LCB & LB, Jimenez
CB- Pavlovic, Gabbia
CB- Tomori, Thiaw, Hummels on a free🥸
RB-Royal, Calabria(in case he leaves I’d take Tiago Santos)
DM- Fofana, ( I’d take Johnny Cardoso & Manu Kone for DM & Samardic for AM if these three leaves Yadli €9-12m, €40-50m Bennacer and €15m Pobega)
CM- Loftus Cheek, Reijnders, Musah
AM- Pulisic, Samardic, Liberali
RW- Samu, Chiesa( Swap deal with Saelemakers for €10m with €2m add ons. Milan will need to negotiate a fair salary €3.5 to 4m net to Chiesa. He’s Italy international and will need to feel important in the group.)
LW- Leoa, Okafor
ST- Morata, Jovic, Camarda
The Milan squad will be strong and stacked with quality because our forwards and midfielders are versatile and can play in many positions. We can promote our academy players in case of injuries but let’s hope our injury record won’t be the same as last season.
Chiesa’s current salary is 6m, I wouldn’t give him that and I’m Italian, he isn’t worth it. I’d rather have Berardi.
Hopefully its only a knock and not serious. And not prelude to series of injuries like what he got at Chelsea…
Just let him rest for the cup – why not keep RLC play at double pivot and try Reijnders at AM.
But seriously, we need to buy a DM. The start of the season is just around the corner…
Really, it’s our final preparation match and so a perfect chance to try Reijnders there and RLC as one of the pivots.
Mike
Calabria Tomori Gabbia Theo
Musah RLC
Chuk Tijjani Leao
Morata
Ruben isnt a CAM. Not sure what Fonseca is trying here.