There are further alarms regarding Christian Pulisic’s condition, and he could well miss the upcoming friendlies across the English Channel.
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport (seen below), 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.
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His participation in the two friendlies against Leeds (in Dublin) and Chelsea (in London) on Saturday and Sunday is therefore doubtful. The American winger is continuing treatment, so it’s uncertain whether he will leave tomorrow afternoon with the rest of the Rossoneri squad.
The paper add that both Santiago Gimenez and Luka Modric – who joined the Milan squad for the first time on Tuesday – are expected to be on the flight to England and could well get some minutes to improve fitness.
Among Massimiliano Allegri’s squad will also be several players from Milan Futuro, as the new head coach doesn’t want to overwork his key players, who will be playing two friendlies in two days and against two opponents from the Premier League.
As a reminder, the start of the season is scheduled for Sunday 17 August against Bari, in the round of 32 of the Coppa Italia. August 23 is the first league game, against Cremonese, also at San Siro.
Who created the schedule to have a friendly in back to back days
I would imagine it was intentional in order to give lots of players minutes in the friendlies, and nobody is going to play in both games (unless they only play less than 1/2 of the first game).
At the moment we have at least 7 midfielders who probably need significant time in the friendlies to get in shape.
I am hoping we see a lot of the bench and younger players against Leeds, and then a more first choice line-up against Chelsea.
Better to be cautious with Pulisic and not play in him in the remaining friendlies. If the goal is to win the Scudetto and qualify for CL next year, Pulisic needs to be at his best at the start of the season. No need to risk him in friendlies.
Exactly. He doesn’t need to prove anything during the pre-season. We need him fit when the Serie A starts.
This is why we have squad depth. For those of us who keep encouraging us to sell everyone.
Good point
I always worry when he misses time. appreciate the caution. A big year ahead.
a big year to fail.😂🤣😁😆
Agree with the “best to be cautious’ comments above.
And yet……. seeing him stick it to Chelsea would be SO satisfying!
Would you not rather see Milan beat Chelsea in a CL match next year versus a friendly? Rest him ahead of the first Serie A match were the goals and assists matter.
And the season hasn’t even started yet …
Bad omens guys, bad omens indeed. If there’s anything that can ruin our season it’s Pulisic injuries coming back to haunt him. He barely started training, and already his ankle is hurting. I’m hoping it’s just some simple knock or something, but I don’t recall him going down after a tackle.