In a season already marred by injury woes, AC Milan have been dealt yet another cruel blow. Star signing Christian Pulisic, the club’s leading scorer, will miss Sunday’s crucial Serie A clash against Roma after suffering a setback in his recovery from a calf problem. The American winger’s absence is a major worry for the Rossoneri faithful as they chase an increasingly unlikely league title.
Milan’s Injury Curse Continues
Pulisic’s latest injury is just the tip of the iceberg for an AC Milan squad ravaged by fitness issues all season long. The Rossoneri were missing a staggering eight first-team players in their narrow 1-0 victory over Verona on December 20th. While coach Paulo Fonseca expects some key figures like Álvaro Morata and Ismaël Bennacer to return against Roma, the loss of Pulisic is a bitter pill to swallow.
“I expected to have Pulisic. He is fine, he has recovered from his calf problem, but in the last two days he has had an ankle problem. It has arisen in the recovery process and he is not ready to play tomorrow, not even for the bench.”
– AC Milan coach Paulo Fonseca
Pulisic’s Importance to Milan
Since joining from Chelsea in the summer, Christian Pulisic has established himself as AC Milan’s talisman. The American captain leads the club with 8 goals in all competitions despite missing significant chunks of the campaign through injury. His electric pace, dribbling prowess, and eye for goal have made him an instant fan favorite at the San Siro.
However, Pulisic’s persistent injury woes are becoming a major concern. The 26-year-old has already missed 11 matches this season due to various knocks and niggles. With their star man sidelined once again, Milan’s attack looks far less potent. The Rossoneri have scored just 26 goals in 16 Serie A games – a paltry return for a side with title ambitions.
A Daunting December Ahead
Pulisic’s absence couldn’t come at a worse time for Milan. Sunday’s showdown with Jose Mourinho’s Roma is followed by a daunting run of December fixtures:
- Dec 13: vs Fiorentina (A)
- Dec 17: vs Juventus – Italian Super Cup
- Dec 20: vs Napoli (H)
With just one win in their last four Serie A outings, AC Milan can ill afford many more slips. They currently sit 8th in the table, a whopping 14 points adrift of surprise leaders Atalanta. While Fonseca refuses to give up on his side’s Scudetto hopes, the gap to the summit is looking increasingly insurmountable.
“The mood is good. I can’t be more positive after the last training sessions. It’s still early in the season and we will fight until the end.”
– Paulo Fonseca remains defiant
A Frustrating Start in Milan
For Christian Pulisic, this latest injury setback is emblematic of a stop-start beginning to life in Italy. The American star arrived at the San Siro to much fanfare, with the Rossoneri faithful anointing him as their new savior after several stagnant seasons. However, Pulisic has spent almost as much time on the treatment table as on the pitch.
Despite his undeniable talent, question marks over Pulisic’s durability are starting to surface. Can his body withstand the rigors of a relentless Serie A campaign? How will these repeated layoffs impact his sharpness and form? For a player who relies so heavily on his explosive pace and agility, these persistent muscle injuries are worrying indeed.
Patience Wearing Thin at the San Siro
AC Milan are a club accustomed to success. With 18 Serie A titles and 7 European Cups in their trophy cabinet, mediocrity is simply not tolerated. After spending big to bring in the likes of Pulisic, Morata, and Charles De Ketelaere, fans expected an instant return to glory. Instead, they’ve endured a disjointed campaign punctuated by injuries, inconsistency, and increasingly restless crowds.
The pressure is mounting on coach Paulo Fonseca to turn things around – and fast. The Portuguese tactician retains the full backing of the Milan board for now, but their patience will not last forever. With a blockbuster tie against Juventus in the Italian Super Cup on the horizon, Fonseca desperately needs his star players fit and firing.
For Christian Pulisic, the road to redemption starts with getting back to full fitness. If he can put his injury woes behind him and rediscover his scintillating best form, the American could yet write his name into AC Milan folklore. But as the games come thick and fast, time is running out for Pulisic to save the Rossoneri’s season – and perhaps his own San Siro career.
