Christian Pulisic is not certain of a start in the derby against Inter on Sunday night, given that his physical condition is still not the best.
As Calciomercato.com recall, Pulisic was the one who decided the last derby on November 23rd, tucking in a rebound from Alexis Saelemaekers’ shot. Since then, Inter’s record in the league is 14 wins and one draw in 15 games, allowing them to take a 10-point lead at the top.
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Doubts emerge
Meanwhile, Pulisic is in a bit of a rut. In 2026, the forward is yet to score a goal or register an assist, and the aiming errors against Parma and Cremonese have left their mark, as has a challenging period in terms of physical condition.
With four days remaining until the highly anticipated match against Inter, which represents the very last chance for Allegri’s Milan to try and keep the Scudetto race alive, some doubts about his starting presence are beginning to surface.
Pulisic hadn’t started at least two games since early January – against Genoa and Fiorentina between January 8th and 11th, to be precise – and has been forced to ration his efforts due to some very bothersome bursitis that has shown a decidedly different performance from his usual form.
Allegri is considering some changes to an attack that has struggled significantly in terms of production and conversion of chances in the last three matches (Como, Parma and Cremonese). Rafael Leao is certain to start, so the question mark becomes the other spot.
The alternatives
Niclas Fullkrug has started only once since joining Milan, remaining on the pitch for the first 60 minutes against Fiorentina. He has scored only against Lecce on January 18th, having made a couple of positive substitute appearances.
Allegri still seems to consider him more of a wild card to unlock opposing defences in the closing stages of matches, and barring any unexpected surprises, that should be the case in the derby as well.
Christopher Nkunku may have a better chance. After a difficult initial experience at Milan, he’s begun to offer something more since the end of last year. After scoring a brace against Verona on December 28th, he already made his mark in early January against Fiorentina, Como and Bologna on February 3.
He earned two more starts against Pisa and Como, only to be relegated to the bench again against Parma and Cremonese, where he then provided the assist for Leao’s 2-0 goal. So, at present, the Frenchman could get the nod over the American.
The major problem Milan has ahead of the derby is Allegri. His selection is costing Milan victory and at the same time devalues our players performances. Milan has been playing without a standing striker and if we play that against inter honestly hardly we will score. We need a standing striker in the box and by doing this the striker will hold down 2 defenders by preventing them from going to support attack if I were Allegri I will play the guy from west ham as a box striker for the crosses Leao from left wing Pullisic as a supporting striker because he can move well with the ball and 4 midfielder instead of 5 (we have always conceded goals after all with 5 midfielders)
Do you know what our starting attack was when we beat Inter at the beginning of the season? 352
Do you know who scored the winner in that match? Pulisic. Didn’t have a “standing” striker then, whatever that means.
352 is perfect against the likes of Inter. Go back and rewatch that game – Chivu is riding on the back of what Inzaghi had built. And Inzaghi hadn’t beat us at all last season. This game is perfect for Corto Muso.
Otherwise go back and enjoy the derbies under Pioli with a “standing” striker after the Scudetto season.
Very well said.
And here I thought Allegri couldn’t get any dumber…
How many big goals has Christian scored against Inter now?
If Max stays Pulisic should ask to leave. Every attacking player should probably ask to leave.
Speak for yourself and your beloved player, but remember there is Milan before any of the players at present and there will be Milan after each and every of them, we the real Milanista want the best for Milan
Shouldn’t you be wankin off to your Leao posters right now.
Benching Puli for Nkunku wouldn’t be wise. Sure he’s not in his usual stellar form, but always finds the net against Inter and his movements during the game are key. Strikers need goals to restore confidence and a goal in the derby would cure all. I hope max plays Pulisic.
If Pulisic is healthy…he starts. The end. Nnkunku and Laeo have partnered to absolutely listless football. Pulisic and Laeo have partnered to wasteful football. There’s a difference. And does anybody believe that will last long?