Christian Pulisic, AC Milan’s top scorer this season, will be unavailable for the highly anticipated Serie A match against Juventus on Saturday. Manager Sergio Conceicao confirmed the absence during his pre-match press conference.
Key Details on Pulisic’s Absence
- Injury Update: Pulisic was forced off at halftime during Milan’s midweek win over Como due to a knock. Despite the setback, Conceicao clarified that the decision to sideline him is precautionary.
- Recent Fitness Issues: The US international recently recovered from a calf injury, and Milan is keen to avoid aggravating his condition.
- Conceicao’s Statement: “Pulisic is out, I don’t want to bluff,” said Conceicao. “He still has some discomfort, and I don’t want to risk it. It’s nothing serious, but if he plays 20 minutes, he risks making his situation worse.”
Pulisic’s Impact This Season
- Pulisic has been a standout performer for Milan, scoring 10 goals across all competitions, including a crucial penalty in their Supercoppa Italiana triumph over Juventus earlier this month.
- His absence will be a significant blow as Milan looks to maintain their unbeaten streak of eight matches in all competitions.
Milan vs. Juventus Preview
- Current Form: Milan sits in seventh place in Serie A, just two points behind fifth-placed Juventus. A victory at San Siro would see them leapfrog their rivals.
- Conceicao’s Thoughts: “There is balance; they are two strong teams. Tomorrow, we have to face a team that played a good match against Atalanta [drawing 1-1 on Tuesday].”
Fixture Congestion for Milan
Conceicao highlighted the packed schedule facing Milan, with critical matches in Serie A, the Champions League, and the Coppa Italia all lined up through early February.
Milan will need to adjust their strategy against Juventus without Pulisic, relying on other key players to step up in this crucial encounter.
