The new AC Milan season has not even begun, yet the Rossoneri are already having to deal with their first injuries, which, in one way or another, are set to disrupt the club's plans. Two setbacks with remarkably similar timing: both Christian Pulisic and Santiago Giménez picked up injuries in their respective final FIFA World Cup matches, where the United States and Mexico were eliminated. Pulisic is expected to be sidelined for around a month and a half, while Giménez could even face up to two months out. And for the American in particular, a key figure in Cardinale and Amorim's project, the outlook is far from encouraging.
Christian Pulisic suffered a minor fracture of the fibula around the hour mark of the United States' Round of 16 match against Belgium at the FIFA World Cup, an injury confirmed yesterday by the US medical staff. His recovery time is estimated at between three and six weeks, depending on how rehabilitation progresses. The fact that the injury has occurred between seasons is both a drawback and a blessing. It is a drawback because his recovery period overlaps with the summer break, meaning he will return out of peak physical condition after missing the entire pre-season. On the other hand, even in the worst-case scenario, he would miss only a limited number of competitive matches. However, according to Gazzetta dello Sport, there is a very real possibility that he will not be available for Milan's Serie A opener against Torino.
As mentioned, Pulisic will have to complete his recovery without taking part in any of Milan's summer pre-season preparations. For this reason, Gazzetta dello Sport notes that the club will need to manage his return with extreme caution to avoid jeopardising the rest of his season. This is especially important given that, over the past year, Pulisic has suffered a series of recurring physical setbacks (often muscular injuries) something that had never happened during his previous two seasons with the Rossoneri. These repeated problems have revived long-standing concerns about the physical fragility for which he had been criticised during his time at Chelsea. This is another issue Milan will have to consider carefully, particularly if, as appears to be the case, the club intends to build its new project around Pulisic.
