Despite being named among the substitutes in each of Milan’s opening three Serie A matches, Pulisic has watched every minute from the bench as the new coach searches for the right balance in attack. Christian Pulisic’s frustration at Milan is growing, while Ruben Amorim continues to face questions over why the USMNT star has yet to make his season debut. Despite being named among the substitutes in each of Milan’s opening three Serie A matches, Pulisic has watched every minute from the bench as the new coach searches for the right balance in attack. The situation became even more surprising on Sunday night, when Milan faced Juventus in one of the biggest fixtures of the opening weeks. Pulisic had been expected to finally receive some playing time, but the 27-year-old once again remained an unused substitute. The American has now been called up for three consecutive Serie A matches without making a single appearance, despite returning to group training in August. Milan began the campaign with wins over Torino and Venezia before drawing 1-1 with Juventus, but the American has remained on the sidelines throughout. His absence has become increasingly noticeable because Milan still needs greater quality in the final third. Alphadjo Cisse has stepped into the role instead and has made an immediate impression, scoring against Torino and Juventus while quickly becoming one of Amorim’s preferred attacking options. The 19-year-old’s emergence has certainly complicated Pulisic’s route back into the starting lineup. Cisse has already scored twice in three matches, including Milan’s opener against Juventus, making it increasingly difficult for Amorim to justify changing a combination that is producing results. Ruben Amorim explains why Pulisic is still waiting The explanation finally came after the Juventus draw, when Amorim was asked directly about Pulisic’s continued absence. The Portuguese coach made it clear that there is a specific reason behind the decision, although he also suggested that Cisse’s current form is playing a role. “Pulisic is back from injury, I’m managing him. For now, Alpha [Cisse] is taking his place,” Amorim said in his post-match press conference, as relayed by MilanNews. Amorim expanded on his approach when discussing his substitutions and the condition of several players: “We’re still managing the minutes of some players and trying to win the match. Sometimes it’s not just the technical and tactical aspects, it’s also the physical aspect.” Christian Pulisic’s minutes played for Milan The injury that has complicated Pulisic’s return Pulisic suffered a bone bruise and microfracture in his right tibia and fibula during the United States’ World Cup campaign, an injury that forced him to miss a significant portion of Milan’s preseason preparations. He returned to group training on August 21, but that did not immediately convince the coaching staff that he was ready for competitive action. The timing of his comeback also explains some of Milan’s caution. Pulisic had missed the club’s summer tour and only returned to full training shortly before the start of the Serie A season, leaving Amorim with a decision over whether to introduce him gradually or risk pushing him back too quickly. Christian Pulisic #10 of the United States reacts There is also a broader injury history behind the caution. Pulisic has dealt with several physical problems over the past year, including an ankle sprain, hamstring injury, bursitis and a gluteal issue, meaning the club has little incentive to rush one of its most important attacking players back onto the field. While Pulisic’s fitness remains the main factor, Cisse’s performances have given Amorim another reason to stay patient. The teenager has adapted quickly to the demands of first-team soccer and has shown the kind of attacking instinct that has made him difficult to remove from the lineup.
Real Madrid and Inter Milan kick off their 2026–27 UEFA Champions League campaign, and here is all the information you need to watch the match live in the United States. Here are all of the details of where you can watch Real Madrid vs Inter on US television and via legal streaming:WHO: Real Madrid vs InterWHAT: Champions LeagueWHEN: 3:00 PM ET / 12:00 PM PT • Tuesday, September 8, 2026WHERE: Paramount+, Fubo, DirecTV Stream, DAZN, CBS, Univision, TUDN, Hulu + Live TV and ViXSTREAM: WATCH NOW Match Overview Real Madrid kicks off its 2026/27 Champions League campaign with a massive test, welcoming Italian champions Inter to the Santiago Bernabéu. Under the leadership of returning manager José Mourinho, Los Blancos are desperate to end a two-year trophy drought and reassert their dominance in Europe. With a perfect start to their domestic season, the pressure is on to translate that form to the continental stage against elite opposition. Inter arrives in Madrid as the reigning Serie A and Coppa Italia winners, a team forged into a disciplined and resilient unit by manager Cristian Chivu. Despite their domestic success, which includes two Champions League final appearances in recent years, the Nerazzurri have a historically poor record on Spanish soil. This opening matchday clash represents a crucial opportunity for Inter to make a statement and prove they can compete with Europe’s very best away from home. Tactical Analysis & Match Context This fixture pits two clubs on different but equally ambitious paths. Real Madrid is in a transitional phase, integrating new signings like Yan Diomande and Bernardo Silva into a squad already brimming with talent. Mourinho’s primary challenge is to find a tactical balance that unleashes the attacking potential of Kylian Mbappé, Vinícius Júnior, and Jude Bellingham while maintaining defensive structure. Their perfect domestic start has been impressive, but this match is their first true test. In contrast, Inter is a more settled and cohesive side, though they too have strengthened with additions like John Stones and Curtis Jones. Manager Cristian Chivu, a former defender under Mourinho, has instilled a modern, disciplined approach. The tactical battle will likely be a fascinating chess match, with Mourinho’s Real expected to concede possession and strike on the counter, while Chivu’s Inter will aim to control the midfield and suffocate Madrid’s creative players. The motivations for both teams are crystal clear. For Real Madrid, anything less than a victory at home in the Champions League is a disappointment. They are driven to reclaim European glory. For Inter, this is a chance to overcome their struggles in Spain and prove their mettle. A positive result at the Bernabéu would signal their intent to not just compete for, but win, the Champions League title this season. Head-to-Head Record & Historic Trends Historically, this has been a one-sided fixture. In 12 meetings, Real Madrid has dominated with seven victories, while Inter has managed only two wins, the last of which came in 1985. The Spanish giants are currently on a seven-game winning streak against their Italian counterparts, underscoring their long-standing superiority in this matchup. Recent encounters tell the same story. Real Madrid has won the last four competitive meetings between the clubs, all taking place in the Champions League group stage since 2020. These victories were decisive, with Madrid showcasing its ability to shut down the Inter attack and capitalize on its opportunities. Key trends from recent history are revealing. Inter has failed to score a single goal in their last three consecutive games against Real Madrid. Furthermore, Los Blancos have secured four wins to nil in the last five clashes. While Inter is a consistent scoring threat in Europe, having found the net in 17 of their last 19 Champions League matches, they will need to break a significant historical barrier to get on the scoresheet in Madrid. Squad Ne
Marco Gabbiadini says Sunderland deserved to win at Brentford after taking the game to their opponents on Saturday. The former Sunderland striker, speaking to Radio Newcastle, believes the Black Cats' attacking approach could have earned them all three points and suggested the result could prove significant when looking back at the end of the season. "If you finish the season in a similar position to what we finished last season and you look back over it, you might look back and think this is one that could have taken us another place up the table," said Gabbiadini.
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