Amorim had warned everyone in the first press conferences of the season: Pulisic, being somewhat prone to physical knocks and minor problems of various kinds, would be managed very carefully across the three competitions. It is too important for him to be consistently available to risk losing him for a long period.
And so, after starting against Atalanta, spending 90 minutes on the bench at Bournemouth, and playing from the start and scoring in Udine, the American should begin today's match against Bologna as a substitute, so that he can then start Saturday's derby against Inter.
In his place, Milan have developed a credible alternative within their own ranks: it will be Alphadjo Cisse's turn.
Creative
The Italian born in 2006 will operate as a central attacking midfielder behind Gonçalo Ramos, in the same position occupied by Pulisic in Udine.
He will have to try to act as a link between midfield and attack, tracking back defensively and making runs into the spaces left open by the striker. And, in addition, he will have to create: without Modric, without Pulisic himself, without Rabiot and without Diego Moreira, Milan's attacking creativity depends on his quality.
Cisse has already shown that he does not struggle with such responsibilities. When called upon, he has responded without hesitation or shyness, but with the determination and freshness of a young player who is very eager to show what he is made of.
Milan have a busy schedule...
Amorim is managing him carefully. In the league, the number 70 has not started since September 12, when he was in the starting lineup against Lazio at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome.
That was his third appearance in the starting eleven in the first four league matchdays. Then, in the following four matches, he made two substitute appearances against Atalanta and Udinese for a total of 17 minutes, while spending the other two matches entirely on the bench, writes Corriere dello Sport in this morning's print edition.
At the Bluenergy Stadium, however, in the few minutes he was given, Cisse came on with an enormous desire to make an impact.
First action: he took on his opponent, shifted the ball onto his right foot and fired a shot towards the far post that went just wide. Second action: a long-range effort saved by Okoye.
Whether starting or coming on during a match, therefore, the 2006-born youngster is not intimidated. He knows where the goal is, he knows what he has to do. And he does it, he tries.
In the Europa League, on the other hand, he has always started, and the match reports show three goals in three matches, all of them, however, scored in Salzburg in the second round.
Development
After all, regarding Cisse as well, Amorim had warned everyone:
"I think he has the potential to become really, really strong. He is a humble boy, and naturally we make sure that he will continue to be so. He works very hard, and I think he has great potential to develop physically as well, which is important."
Preserving that humility also includes the education that comes from sitting on the bench, one of the very best lessons in football.
Cisse must not think of himself as an undisputed starter, but must work day after day to improve first and foremost and then, consequently, earn his place.
For now, in Amorim's new 4-2-3-1 formation, there is room for only one natural attacking midfielder on the pitch.
And with Pulisic resting, it is Cisse's turn.
