How Milan plan to replace Pulisic against Fiorentina after USMNT injury

Christian Pulisic is at high risk of missing out on Milan’s upcoming Serie A test against Fiorentina after picking up a hamstring injury while away on international duty with the USA, which leaves Massimiliano Allegri with a series of decisions to make for the return of domestic league action this weekend. 

Pulisic lined up as a starter for the USMNT as they took on Australia in an international friendly in Colorado on Tuesday night, but withdrew with a hamstring issue after just 30 minutes. 

“He felt something in his hamstring,” Pochettino confirmed after the game. “He will fly back to Italy, we will assess tonight, and we can’t say anything at the moment.” 

Pulisic has been on fine form for Milan at the start of the 2025-26 campaign. He is averaging a goal involvement every game in Serie A with four goals and two assists to his name from six league appearances, and also claimed the division’s player of the month award for September. 

He has started in four out of Milan’s six Serie A matches so far this term, and though Ruben Loftus-Cheek starred in a more advanced role the last time the American was out of the starting line-up, it is likely that Christopher Nkunku or Rafael Leao will be given a chance in that role this time around. 

According to reports from Calciomercato.com, Nkunku is the first in line to replace Pulisic in the Milan starting line-up this weekend. He found the back of the net for the France national team on Monday night, starting the game on the left wing. 

Leao, meanwhile, left the Portugal national team camp early in order to focus on his fitness back at Milan. The 26-year-old has not started for Milan since picking up an injury in his first competitive appearance of the season in a 2-0 victory over Bari in the Coppa Italia in August.