Muscle fatigue suffered by Christian Pulisic in training will in all likelihood keep him out of Milan–Lazio on Saturday. A heavy loss, given the strong form of the American. Allegri himself left little room for optimism in his press conference, saying, "Pulisic is unlikely to be available for the match." These words confirm a cautious approach in a period full of fixtures where any risk can be costly.
The alternatives, Loftus-Cheek the reliable option:
The first alternative is Ruben Loftus-Cheek. This opens an interesting point, his best performances since arriving have often come when he started a few meters higher up the pitch. The Englishman is not a classic attacking midfielder, but he knows how to play in that zone with surges, strength and smart movement. He also brings reliability. This explains why Allegri stresses how “serious” and “professional” he is, he is the type of player who covers a role cleanly when you have an emergency. He does not change a match on his own, but he rarely complicates one.
Is Nkunku the player that AC Milan needs while Pulisic is absent?
Then there is Christopher Nkunku, the most intriguing option. He is not yet consistent, and not yet fully inside Milan’s patterns, but he has the talent to change a match with one action. He still needs minutes and training, as Allegri pointed out. This match against Lazio can become a chance to take. Without Pulisic, Milan needs someone ready to step forward. If Nkunku wants to speed up his growth and integrate more into the team’s play and rhythm, this stage arrives at the right moment.
Pulisic out, a heavy absence, a response is needed:
Pulisic’s absence brings complications, but it can also be a chance for Milan. Allegri will be able to test new attacking ideas, and the players stepping in for the American will get an opportunity to show themselves. Against Lazio the team will need ideas, quality and work, elements this squad has shown even without one of its strongest players. In the small gap opened by this injury, there is room for a new protagonist. The question is simple, who will step in?
Source: Milan Press
