The best Rossonero at the start of the season, Christian Pulisic, has pushed past both opponents and pain. Despite discomfort in his left ankle, he scored four goals and provided two assists in the league, the first of which came as a substitute in Lecce.
His initial benching was due to physical issues, yet USA coach Pochettino still called him up during the first international break. Pulisic started both matches for the national team.
The same story repeated in mid-October, as La Gazzetta dello Sport reminds us. Pulisic kept scoring, his ankle kept bothering him, and the United States called him again for friendlies. Milan could not refuse. Despite not being fully fit, 'Captain America' flew overseas to join his national side. The coach’s handling was poor. To protect his health, he benched him for the first match, but in the second, against Australia, which was closer to Milan’s fixtures, Pulisic started and went down injured after half an hour. The issue shifted from the ankle to the hamstring. That was twelve days ago.
What is Milan's plan regarding Christian Pulisic?
Since then, Christian has been training to recover, following a personalized program. The plan worked. Pulisic will not return tomorrow against Atalanta and is unlikely to play against Roma on November 2, though it is not entirely ruled out. Before the November break, Milan will also face Parma, and Pulisic is aiming to be there. If he is fit for Max and the club, he will automatically be available for Pochettino and the U.S. national team, who have a friendly with Uruguay on November 19.
Contacts between Milan and USMNT?
With no points or qualification at stake, Milan would prefer to avoid another long trip for their forward. A 'vacation' at Milanello would be better, where Pulisic could fully recover from the muscle problem. After the break, Serie A resumes with the most demanding match of all: the Milan derby. The club wants to prevent Christian from returning fatigued from New Jersey, where the U.S.-Uruguay game will be held at MetLife Stadium, and only becoming available a few days before the restart.
This would not be compensation for what happened last time, nor a favor. It is simply common sense. Milan CEO Furlani and the U.S. federation are already discussing the matter. Even if Pulisic returns to action before the break, the idea is for him to use the pause to rest and regain full fitness. That would benefit everyone, both Milan and his national team.
