Christian Pulisic has been completely shut out of AC Milan’s first three matches this season, watching every minute from the sidelines. It’s a shocking start for a player of his caliber, and on Friday, coach Ruben Amorim confirmed what everyone was wondering: Christian Pulisic is “upset” about it. Man, you love to hear that competitive fire, right? The star forward has been listed as a substitute for every single game so far, but he hasn’t gotten even one second of play.
The Injury That Sparked The Anger
So, what’s the actual deal with Pulisic getting zero minutes when he’s clearly on the roster? Coach Amorim laid it all out for the media. Turns out Pulisic is battling back from a gnarly bone bruise and a microfracture in his right tibia. This injury was revealed right after the United States crashed out of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. That’s a pretty serious injury, and it definitely explains the caution. Amorim didn’t sugarcoat Pulisic’s feelings, either. He flat-out said, “He is angry because he has had zero minutes so far and I like that in my players,” according to GOAL. The coach even added, “Don’t forget that he had an injury in the summer and then in the first training session he took a knock and had to stop.” It’s a tough situation, trying to get back to full health while the team’s already kicking off the season. His frustration is totally understandable; you want your best guys champing at the bit to play.
Amorim’s Firm Stance and Pulisic’s Looming Return
Here’s the kicker: Amorim, who just took over as AC Milan’s coach this season, replacing Massimiliano Allegri, has a very clear philosophy, and he’s sticking to it. This isn’t some rookie manager; he started his coaching career in 2017 and is a two-time Primeira Liga manager of the year. He made it abundantly clear that being a “name” doesn’t guarantee playing time if other guys are performing. His words were sharp: “I will not take out those who are doing well just to put in a ‘name’: this is my way of managing the group and I will die with these principles.” That’s an uncompromising stance, showing exactly how he plans to manage the squad. Pulisic, who’s in his fourth season with AC Milan, started 32 and 29 games in his first two seasons, and even started 18 of 30 games last season. So, this benching is a stark contrast to his usual role, making Amorim’s statement even more impactful.
But don’t despair! Pulisic’s time on the sidelines is almost definitely coming to an end. Amorim also revealed that Pulisic is “likely to play this weekend.” The coach stated, “You will see him tomorrow, I don’t know whether from the start or during the game. I think he will play a few minutes.” Amorim stressed that Pulisic is “very important” for him in the long run, especially with a grueling schedule ahead, featuring eight weeks with three games a week after the international break. “Everyone will be tired because of how much they will play. Pulisic is important and he will play a lot of matches.” It’s clear Amorim has a plan, and Pulisic is a big part of it, even if the early season has been a tough pill to swallow.
So, get ready to finally see Pulisic back on the pitch this weekend. Whether he starts or comes in as a sub, those “few minutes” will be crucial as he eases back into action and prepares for the heavy workload coming up. It’s a big step for him, for AC Milan, and it’ll be exciting to see him finally get involved.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Fox Sports.
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