Can Pulisic finally earn his Serie A debut this weekend?
After a micro‑fracture and bone bruise sidelined him at the World Cup, Pulisic returned to training last month. Yet he hasn’t featured in Milan’s opening three matches, even though he was named on the bench each time, and coach Ruben Amorim says the winger is disgruntled by the situation.
Amorim hinted the United States forward will likely see action on Saturday.
‘You’ll probably see Pulisic,’ Amorim told reporters on Friday. ‘I’m not sure if he starts or comes off the bench, but he’ll get a few minutes, and I like what he brings.’
‘I respect him as a player,’ the coach added. ‘He’s upset about zero minutes so far, and I appreciate that fire in my squad.’
Milan travel to Rome to face Lazio on Saturday in a marquee clash. While regaining fitness, Pulisic has slipped down the pecking order, now behind 19‑year‑old Italian youth international Alphadjo Cissé, who has already netted two striking goals from the left wing.
Cissé dazzles with dribbling flair and a confident finish, emerging as a breakout story in Amorim’s inaugural season. On Friday, the manager was blunt about handling two quality players vying for the same spot.
‘I won’t bench a performer just to name‑drop someone,’ he said. ‘That’s how I run the group, and I’ll stand by these principles.’
Milan remain unbeaten, holding two wins and a draw, which places them fifth as the Serie A campaign kicks off.
Analysis by senior soccer writer Felipe Cardenas
In my view, Amorim sees the American as a raw project brimming with upside; if he sticks to the coach’s strict rules, a hungry Pulisic could become a real asset on match day.
Optimism always mixes with ‘what‑ifs’ around Pulisic, and this season is no exception. At 27, he must earn a spot in Amorim’s lineup, which might actually benefit the U.S. star, granting him plenty of meaningful minutes.
Amorim has outlined a clear path for the winger, stressing that the American isn’t out of favour and that ‘context and history’ shape his choices. Milan, still unbeaten, will open their Europa League campaign on September 16 at home against Benfica.
‘After the international break there are eight weeks with three games a week,’ Amorim warned. ‘Fatigue will set in, but Pulisic remains important to me.’
The U.S. men will host Peru and Chile in September friendlies, then meet Mexico and Canada in October. Meanwhile, head coach Mauricio Pochettino has secured a new deal through the 2030 World Cup. Will Pulisic’s resurgence become the cornerstone of America’s next World Cup push?