If there are two players who deserve little criticism this season, in terms of performances on the pitch and the numbers they have produced, they are Christian Pulisic and Rafael Leao. The former has scored 10 goals in 20 matches, while the latter has netted 8 times in 18 appearances.
The real issue has been seeing them on the pitch consistently: a couple of significant injuries, numerous minor knocks, and fitness that has never truly been optimal. And even for Tuesday night, when Milan travel to Bologna to close out the 23rd round of Serie A, both the American and the Portuguese remain doubts.
To be assessed:
Speaking from Casa Milan on Sunday afternoon, Sky Sport 24 journalist Peppe Di Stefano confirmed Christian Pulisic’s problem, as he is dealing with iliopsoas bursitis. Today the American did not train and risks missing the match at the Dall’Ara, just as it is already certain that Alexis Saelemaekers will be unavailable. It was also added that Rafael Leao is not at 100 percent either. Unfortunately, this is nothing new, as Allegri himself has confirmed that the number 10 has not yet fully recovered from the muscle issue that has been bothering him since the start of the year. For this reason, during today’s training session, Christopher Nkunku and Ruben Loftus-Cheek were tried together in attack, an unusual and very specific pairing, with Füllkrug being kept in reserve as an option to be used during the match.
Why does AC Milan need Mateta?
Much has already been said about Pulisic and Leao, but Nkunku has also struggled with physical issues that have prevented him from playing regularly this season. Not to mention Gimenez, who has been sidelined since the end of October and will remain out for a few more weeks. Probably for these reasons as well, with constant injuries and physical problems, Milan are moving decisively to provide Massimiliano Allegri with another striker, despite no departures being planned, writes Milan News. If everything goes as expected, the Rossoneri will bring forward the signing of Jean-Philippe Mateta to this transfer window. Today, Crystal Palace gave the green light after unlocking negotiations for his replacement. This move would increase competition, quality, and also provide greater security in case of further physical issues, which have plagued the Diavolo relentlessly this season.
