Milan annoyed by USA for unnecessary Pulisic risk against Australia

Reports in Italy claim that Milan are irritated with the USMNT for their treatment of star forward Christian Pulisic, who now risks missing several weeks of Serie A action after being ‘unnecessarily’ risked for a friendly against Australia on Tuesday night. 

Pulisic is due to return to Italy on Thursday, and is expected to have an in-depth medical check-up on Friday after picking up a hamstring injury while away on international duty with the USA earlier this week. 

Pulisic had been struggling with discomfort in his ankle in the weeks leading up to the international break, which continued while he was away with the USMNT, and was a large part of the reason why he did not start in the 1-1 draw against Ecuador last week. 

According to reports from La Repubblica, Pulisic did not train ‘at his best’ in the days leading up to the friendly against Australia either due to the ankle issue. 

Still, Pochettino named him as a starter for the friendly against Australia, and for Pulisic, that match only lasted half an hour before coming off with a new injury issue, this time in his hamstring. 

Though he has not yet reported for medical tests, la Repubblica suggests that Pulisic risks missing three to four weeks of Serie A and Champions League action after the international break, which has left Milan feeling ‘irritated’. 

The Rossoneri delegation are reportedly bemused at Pochettino’s decision to risk such a key player, who had not been in his best shape, for a friendly against a side they were expected to beat. 

Milan, meanwhile, will now have to do without the Serie A leading goalscorer, and will instead turn to Christopher Nkunku to partner Santiago Gimenez for their upcoming Serie A match against Fiorentina on Sunday.