Christian Pulisic and Santiago Gimenez give Milan boss Massimiliano Allegri major headaches despite no Serie A action

For a club in fine form, the international break should bring calm. Yet for Milan, it may deliver the opposite. Christian Pulisic and Santiago Gimenez, the two forwards who have become Massimiliano Allegri’s trusted attacking duo, are once again the cause of his growing unease — and not because of anything that’s happening on the Serie A pitch.

Both men have been vital to Milan’s strong start to the season. Pulisic, reborn under Allegri’s system, continues to inspire both club and country, while Gimenez — though still searching for his first league goal — remains an indispensable piece of the Rossoneri structure. But just as the club’s rhythm appeared set, Allegri faces another test of endurance from afar.

As Serie A pauses for international fixtures, the club’s training ground at Milanello has emptied, leaving Allegri with only a partial squad. Among those on international duty, none will have a tougher schedule — or longer journeys — than his two starting forwards.

For Christian Pulisic, the call-up was inevitable. The 27-year-old winger remains central to Mauricio Pochettino’s plans for the U.S. national team, who are beginning their final preparations for the 2026 World Cup.

The American arrives at camp in top form, his missed penalty against Juventus last week doing little to tarnish his impact at club level. He’s been one of the team’s most consistent performers, creating chances, driving play, and linking fluidly with Gimenez up front. Pochettino knows he can rely on him to lift the USMNT attack — just as Allegri knows that when Pulisic returns, fatigue could once again become a concern.

Across the front line, Santiago Gimenez continues to divide opinion in Milan. Despite scoring only once this season — in the Coppa Italia — Allegri has made clear that the striker’s contribution runs far deeper than numbers.

“Santiago is a fundamental piece of this team,” Allegri said after Milan’s goalless draw with Juventus. “He gives us structure — the way he connects play, holds up the ball, and presses from the front is vital. The goals will come, but what he brings goes well beyond statistics.”