After deciding to switch to a 3-5-2 formation during summer preparation, Massimiliano Allegri had a clear idea of his starting attacking pair: Christian Pulisic and Rafael Leao. Unfortunately, due to injuries first to the Portuguese and then to the American, this duo has started together only once in an official match, in mid-August against Bari in the Coppa Italia, and never in Serie A.
According to Corriere dello Sport, when the league resumes after the international break, Milan will face Inter in the derby, and Allegri will finally have the chance to start Leao and Pulisic together. The Milan No. 10 will play for Portugal tonight against Ireland and again on Sunday against Armenia, but he is expected back at Milanello on Tuesday, giving him enough time to prepare for the Inter match. Pulisic, who returned to Parma after recovering from a muscle injury that sidelined him for nearly a month, was not called up by the United States and will use the break to train and regain full fitness.
What is Leao and Pulisic's impact when playing together at Milan?
While they have started only one match together this season, Leao and Pulisic have shared the field as substitutes on two occasions: 20 minutes in Turin against Juventus, remembered for Leao’s glaring miss from a Pulisic assist, and another 20 minutes in Parma, where Rafa returned the favor with a brilliant backheel assist that Pulisic failed to convert past Suzuki. Few minutes together, but enough to show a glimpse of what they might achieve as a duo.
