Match story
- Pacos Ferreira fired more attempts (16 vs 13 shots).
- Benfica held more of the ball (67% possession).
Benfica defeated Pacos Ferreira 2-1 in Primeira Liga. The fixture is part of the Regular Season - 9 stage in the 2020 season. Rui Costa officiated the match. The full-time result capped a Benfica vs Pacos Ferreira meeting in Primeira Liga with detailed post-match statistics available on Sportra. This match centre covers lineups, live events, player ratings, team statistics, xG, head-to-head history, and related news for Benfica and Pacos Ferreira. On Sportra you can view xG, lineups, match statistics, events, player ratings, predictions, head-to-head history, and related news for this fixture.
Primeira LigaRecorded meetings: 13 (available previous meetings, not necessarily all-time).
Benfica defeated Pacos Ferreira 2-1 in Primeira Liga. The fixture is part of the Regular Season - 9 stage in the 2020 season. Rui Costa officiated the match. The full-time result capped a Benfica vs Pacos Ferreira meeting in Primeira Liga with detailed post-match statistics available on Sportra. This match centre covers lineups, live events, player ratings, team statistics, xG, head-to-head history, and related news for Benfica and Pacos Ferreira. On Sportra you can view xG, lineups, match statistics, events, player ratings, predictions, head-to-head history, and related news for this fixture.
Primeira LigaRecorded meetings: 13 (available previous meetings, not necessarily all-time).
Manchester City are in the midst of attempting to bolster their midfield. With Rodri, Bernardo Silva and Tijjani Reijnders having left the club, City are looking at midfielders with Lille midfielder A...
His recovery comes at a crucial point for both Pulisic and Milan, with new head coach Ruben Amorim preparing for the opening weeks of the Serie A campaign and hoping to get one of his most talented attackers back to full fitness. Christian Pulisic is edging closer to his return for Milan, but the American winger’s comeback is being handled with caution after a difficult summer. His recovery comes at a crucial point for both Pulisic and Milan, with new head coach Ruben Amorim preparing for the opening weeks of the Serie A campaign and hoping to get one of his most talented attackers back to full fitness. The American has been sidelined since the United States’ World Cup exit against Belgium in July. The 27-year-old suffered a bone bruise and microfracture around his lower leg after colliding with Youri Tielemans while attempting to strike the ball, bringing a frustrating end to a tournament in which he had already battled another injury. The latest development has provided Milan with a major boost, as Pulisic returned to partial team training at Milanello. He completed part of the session, including speed and agility exercises, marking his first significant involvement with the squad since the World Cup injury. The American had missed Milan’s entire preseason while recovering, leaving him behind the rest of Amorim’s squad in terms of match fitness. Although Pulisic is understood to have recovered physically, the Rossoneri are taking a measured approach rather than rushing him back into competitive action. View this post on Instagram That cautious approach means the winger is reportedly expected to miss Milan’s Serie A opener against Torino. The club’s medical and coaching staff believe he still needs time to rebuild his fitness after more than six weeks away from regular soccer. When could Pulisic return? The current plan points toward a later return, with Pulisic potentially being included for Milan’s first home league match against Venezia on August 28, La Gazzetta dello Sport reports. The possibility of appearing from the bench would represent a significant step forward after a summer dominated by injuries and disappointment. The timing would also give Pulisic several additional days to work on his conditioning and integrate into Amorim’s tactical plans. Rather than forcing him into the season opener, Milan appear prepared to wait until the American is sufficiently prepared to contribute. Pulisic’s latest injury came after he had already struggled with a calf problem during the World Cup. He aggravated that issue against Paraguay, missed the following match against Australia and later returned against Turkiye before starting the United States’ 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina. Christian Pulisic #10 of the United States reacts Pulisic has plenty to prove after difficult months The injury setback followed a frustrating period for Pulisic at club and international level. He endured a 19-game scoring drought for Milan, while his World Cup campaign ended with no goals after he had hoped to make a major impact on home soil. Pulisic admitted his disappointment following the United States’ elimination, writing on Instagram: “Tough to find the words. I want to start by saying thank you to everyone who believed. The support carried us all the way through.” The winger also acknowledged that the United States had fallen short of expectations, adding that he had wanted to deliver more for the national team. His focus now shifts back to San Siro, where he will have an opportunity to rebuild his momentum under a new manager.
The 25-year-old has spent the past two years in Serie A, scoring four goals in 63 appearances for Roma, but is more renowned for his dynamism and excels off the ball.
Ezri Konsa is set to depart Aston Villa for Arsenal (Photo: Getty) Aston Villa have reportedly entered the race for a Chelsea star as they look to replace Ezri Konsa ahead of his transfer to Arsenal. Two days before the start of new Premier League season, it was reported that the Gunners had struck a deal to sign the England international for an initial £51million. Konsa, a centre-back also capable of playing on the right, had emerged as Mikel Arteta’s top defensive target in light of injuries to William Saliba and Jurrien Timber. While a boost for Arsenal, it is yet another massive transfer blow for Villa who have seen the core of their team ripped apart this summer, with Morgan Rogers, Youri Tielemans and Lucas Digne departing. Exclusive Premier League previews Get ahead of the start of the season with our weekly football newsletter. Sign up now for free. It could yet get worse for Unai Emery, with Emiliano Martinez almost certain to leave, while Ollie Watkins is keen on a move to Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal. For now, Villa’s focus is on replacing Konsa and, according to Sky Sports, they are interested in Tosin Adarabioyo, who is surplus to requirements at Chelsea. Tosin joined the Blues in 2024, moving across west London from Fulham on a free transfer, but has failed to establish himself in the first-team, making just 16 appearances in the Premier League last season. Tosin Adarabioyo is no longer wanted at Stamford Bridge (Photo: Getty) While he has featured in pre-season under Xabi Alonso, he was left out of the squad entirely for the final friendly against Real Sociedad last week, a clear indication he is not wanted at Stamford Bridge. The 28-year-old has been the subject of interest from Benfica, now managed by his former Fulham boss Marco Silva, but reports suggest he is not keen on the move. Marseille and Sevilla are also interested in the Englishman, and the French club have already made an approach for the Manchester City academy graduate. Tosin won the Club World Cup and Conference League with Chelsea (Photo: Getty) It is not known how much Chelsea would want for Tosin, who has two years left on his contract. He is not the only centre-back the Blues are trying to offload before deadline day, with Mamadou Sarr, Aarón Anselmino and Axel Disasi, who was previously loaned to Villa Park, on the transfer list. Villa kick-off their Premier League campaign away to Brighton on Sunday. For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Comment now Comments Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google Add as preferred source
Sign up now! Sign up now! Sign up now? Sign up now!In the 1941 RKO Radio Pictures/Mercury repertory theatre production Citizen Kane, Orson Welles essayed a man who began as a whirlwind of prolific energy, only to spectacularly fizzle out, to the extent that near the end, stubborn pride his only remaining fuel, he could barely move around or achieve anything of note at all. Football Daily isn’t sure how any of this relates to Charles Foster’s namesake Harry, or his recent Geopolitics World Cup campaign; nor are we sure what bit of Welles’ career Harry’s mooted move from Bayern Munich to Al-Hilal would be comparable with. The flawed masterpiece The Magnificent Ambersons, perhaps, or that thing where he loses his mind over Findus peas.Don Revie and his merry henchmen [Tuesday’s Memory Lane, full email edition] getting ready for a night on the lash, as it was back then. Lest we forget: one-club man Jack Charlton once said ‘I cant play football, but I can stop those that can’. Diamond geezer eh?” – Alvin Jordan.It was bewildering to read in Tuesdays’s Football Daily that ‘Kevin Lamour was a lone dissenting voice inside Fifa’s lair when Gianni Infantino’s plot to flog part of the World Cup to private investors – potentially on the cheap – was rumbled’. He was far from lone. Fifa’s secretary-general, Mattias Grafström, called the FFE plans a ‘sad and reproachable series of events’ in an email to staff. Fifa’s chief of global development, someone called Arsène Wenger, pronounced the withdrawal of FFE ‘absolutely necessary and beyond question’. Above all, Infantino’s right-hand man, the Fifa senior advisor Carlos Cordeiro, stated: ‘I cannot stand by while Fifa considers selling a stake in the World Cup. Let me be clear: I had no involvement in this proposal, and I oppose it unequivocally. It is a bad deal for Fifa’s member associations, a bad deal for football, and a bad deal for the long-term future of the game.’ And unlike Lamour, Grafström, or Wenger, Cordeiro put his money where his mouth was and resigned” – Simon Skinner.Talking of players’ wages, my Middlesborough friend who knew Wilf Mannion told me that when he was chosen to play for England at Wembley that they gave him a third-class rail ticket to get there. Unfortunately the train was so crowded that he had to sit on his suitcase in the corridor the whole way to London (not an unusual situation in those days)” – Bob Hopper.This is an extract from our daily football email … Football Daily. To get the full version, just visit this page and follow the instructions. Continue reading...
Bernardo Silva, 32, has been presented as a new Real Madrid player. Thirty-three days after the official announcement confirming his signing, the Portuguese midfielder took part in an institutional ce...
Aston Villa face a battle to win the race for midfield target Joao Palhinha, with family factors steering him towards Benfica. The post ‘Family Factors Weighing Heavily’ – Aston Villa Hit With Blow Amid Push For Star appeared first on Inside Futbol | Latest Football News, Transfer Rumours & Articles.
FC Porto has had an improved bid for Santos central defender Jair Filho turned down, with the Brazilian club insisting it wants to keep him until its season ends in December, according to Flashscore Portugal. Porto’s second offer, worth €12 million plus the permanent transfer of forward Wendel Silva back to Santos, followed an initial […] The post Porto’s improved bid for Santos defender Jair Filho rejected appeared first on SoccerNews.
Benfica host AGF at the Estádio da Luz on Thursday in the first leg of their Europa League play-off, with a place in this season’s league phase at stake for whoever comes through the tie. It is a rare continental assignment for the Danish visitors against a Portuguese giant with far greater European pedigree and […] The post Prediction: Benfica vs AGF appeared first on SoccerNews.
A significant midfield overhaul is under way at Manchester City. Bernardo Silva and Rodri have departed the club. Tijjani Reijnders is set to sign for Saudi Arabian club Al Qadsiah. So far, City have ...
After an injury-hit summer and a difficult second half of last season, Pulisic now has a fresh opportunity to rebuild his momentum under a coach who appears determined to get the best out of him. Christian Pulisic is heading into a pivotal new chapter at Milan, with Ruben Amorim already making it clear that the American remains central to his plans. After an injury-hit summer and a difficult second half of last season, Pulisic now has a fresh opportunity to rebuild his momentum under a coach who appears determined to get the best out of him. The 27-year-old has yet to make his competitive debut under Amorim, having missed much of preseason while recovering from the bone bruise and microfracture suffered during the United States’ World Cup defeat to Belgium. Yet rather than questioning Pulisic’s place in the squad, Amorim has repeatedly emphasized his belief in the forward and hinted at a role designed around his strengths. Pulisic’s versatility has always been one of his biggest assets. He has played on both wings, operated centrally and even featured as a false nine, but the Portuguese boss appears to have identified a specific position where he believes the American can be particularly dangerous. Speaking during Milan‘s preseason preparations, Amorim explained that he already knows how he wants to use the USMNT star. “I have a clear idea of where I want him [Pulisic] to play. Especially with the right foot on the left side, it is the perfect position for him. He can play the other side also, inside too and not on the line,” Amorim said. View this post on Instagram That points toward Pulisic playing as the left-sided No. 10 in Amorim’s preferred 3-4-2-1 system, operating behind the striker rather than staying permanently on the touchline. The position would allow him to cut inside onto his stronger right foot, combine with the wing-back and attack spaces between defenders. Pulisic has already played in similar role The idea may actually feel familiar to Pulisic after his experience with the United States at the 2026 World Cup. Although officially listed as a winger, he frequently started from the left before moving into central areas, while the left-back provided width on the outside. That setup gave Pulisic freedom to receive the ball in dangerous positions and attack defenders from different angles. His best performance of the tournament came during the opening half against Paraguay, when he helped create two goals and completed four dribbles despite playing only 45 minutes. Christian Pulisic vs Paraguay 45 minutes played pic.twitter.com/1F5pq8XzHR— – (@heruarchives) June 13, 2026 Amorim’s system could therefore give Pulisic a similar platform at club level. The major difference is that he will have more freedom to operate centrally from the beginning rather than constantly being asked to function as a traditional winger. Amorim remains firmly behind the American The tactical plan comes at an important moment for Pulisic, who endured a frustrating second half of the previous campaign. After scoring 15 goals in his first Milan season and 17 in his second, his total dropped to 10 in 2025-26, while he failed to score for the club after December. His World Cup campaign then ended in disappointment, with injuries restricting him before a second injury against Belgium forced him out of the tournament. Despite the criticism that followed, Amorim has made it clear that he does not believe Pulisic’s best days are behind him. Christian Pulisic #10 of the United States controls the ball during the FIFA World Cup 2026. “Pulisic is a really talented player,” Amorim said. “I know the strengths of Pulisic. I believe in him; he will be supported in our club.” The Milan manager added, “We believe a lot in him, have a clear plan to use all the qualities that he has, so I can say to you that Pulisic is really important for us.”
With the Serie A opener against Torino approaching, the American forward's progress has become one of the biggest talking points around the club. Christian Pulisic has finally taken an important step toward returning to competitive soccer after an injury kept him out throughout Milan’s preseason preparations. With the Serie A opener against Torino approaching, the American forward’s progress has become one of the biggest talking points around the club. Pulisic has spent the past several weeks working away from the main group after suffering a serious setback during the 2026 World Cup. Now, with the new campaign only days away, there is growing optimism that he could have a role to play sooner than initially expected. Pulisic suffered a bone bruise and microfracture to the right tibia and fibula during the United States’ World Cup round-of-16 defeat to Belgium. The injury occurred following a strange collision, and although he attempted to continue playing, he eventually had to leave the match. After the game, Pulisic explained what happened in his own words, saying, “I twisted my ankle and my knee in one play.” The injury forced him into a lengthy rehabilitation plan and ruled him out of Milan‘s entire preseason schedule. Christian Pulisic #10 of the United States reacts after challenged by Youri Tielemans #8 of Belgium The 27-year-old had continued his recovery at Milanello while the rest of the squad travelled for preseason commitments in Australia and Indonesia. His return to the training complex also allowed him to begin working toward a comeback under new head coach Ruben Amorim. Pulisic returns to group training The biggest development arrived on Tuesday, August 18, when Pulisic completed the opening portion of Milan’s team training session with his teammates. MilanNews reported that the American was able to participate in part of the session, marking a significant milestone 41 days after suffering the injury. That development immediately raised the possibility of Pulisic being involved when Milan travels to face Torino on Sunday. View this post on Instagram While his return to full fitness is still being managed carefully, the forward is now much closer to competitive action than he was only a few weeks ago. Earlier reports had suggested that the American was targeting a return toward the end of August, with the Torino fixture viewed as an ambitious target. Could Pulisic feature against Torino? The latest developments suggest Pulisic now has a realistic chance of being included in Milan’s squad for the Serie A opener against Il Toro on Sunday, August 23. His partial return to team training is an encouraging sign, although the club will have to determine whether he is physically ready for competitive minutes. Even if he makes the squad, however, a starting role is considered highly unlikely after such a long period without competitive soccer. Christian Pulisic of AC Milan warms up before the Serie A match. The priority will be avoiding another setback after such a long rehabilitation process. Even a short appearance from the bench would represent meaningful progress for Pulisic and give Amorim another attacking option as the Rossoneri begin the new Serie A campaign. For now, the expectation is that Pulisic will continue his personalized work alongside his gradual integration with the squad. His return is getting closer, and the Torino match could provide the first opportunity for Milan fans to see their American star back in action.
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Manchester City are in the midst of attempting to bolster their midfield. With Rodri, Bernardo Silva and Tijjani Reijnders having left the club, City are looking at midfielders with Lille midfielder A...
His recovery comes at a crucial point for both Pulisic and Milan, with new head coach Ruben Amorim preparing for the opening weeks of the Serie A campaign and hoping to get one of his most talented attackers back to full fitness. Christian Pulisic is edging closer to his return for Milan, but the American winger’s comeback is being handled with caution after a difficult summer. His recovery comes at a crucial point for both Pulisic and Milan, with new head coach Ruben Amorim preparing for the opening weeks of the Serie A campaign and hoping to get one of his most talented attackers back to full fitness. The American has been sidelined since the United States’ World Cup exit against Belgium in July. The 27-year-old suffered a bone bruise and microfracture around his lower leg after colliding with Youri Tielemans while attempting to strike the ball, bringing a frustrating end to a tournament in which he had already battled another injury. The latest development has provided Milan with a major boost, as Pulisic returned to partial team training at Milanello. He completed part of the session, including speed and agility exercises, marking his first significant involvement with the squad since the World Cup injury. The American had missed Milan’s entire preseason while recovering, leaving him behind the rest of Amorim’s squad in terms of match fitness. Although Pulisic is understood to have recovered physically, the Rossoneri are taking a measured approach rather than rushing him back into competitive action. View this post on Instagram That cautious approach means the winger is reportedly expected to miss Milan’s Serie A opener against Torino. The club’s medical and coaching staff believe he still needs time to rebuild his fitness after more than six weeks away from regular soccer. When could Pulisic return? The current plan points toward a later return, with Pulisic potentially being included for Milan’s first home league match against Venezia on August 28, La Gazzetta dello Sport reports. The possibility of appearing from the bench would represent a significant step forward after a summer dominated by injuries and disappointment. The timing would also give Pulisic several additional days to work on his conditioning and integrate into Amorim’s tactical plans. Rather than forcing him into the season opener, Milan appear prepared to wait until the American is sufficiently prepared to contribute. Pulisic’s latest injury came after he had already struggled with a calf problem during the World Cup. He aggravated that issue against Paraguay, missed the following match against Australia and later returned against Turkiye before starting the United States’ 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina. Christian Pulisic #10 of the United States reacts Pulisic has plenty to prove after difficult months The injury setback followed a frustrating period for Pulisic at club and international level. He endured a 19-game scoring drought for Milan, while his World Cup campaign ended with no goals after he had hoped to make a major impact on home soil. Pulisic admitted his disappointment following the United States’ elimination, writing on Instagram: “Tough to find the words. I want to start by saying thank you to everyone who believed. The support carried us all the way through.” The winger also acknowledged that the United States had fallen short of expectations, adding that he had wanted to deliver more for the national team. His focus now shifts back to San Siro, where he will have an opportunity to rebuild his momentum under a new manager.
The 25-year-old has spent the past two years in Serie A, scoring four goals in 63 appearances for Roma, but is more renowned for his dynamism and excels off the ball.
Ezri Konsa is set to depart Aston Villa for Arsenal (Photo: Getty) Aston Villa have reportedly entered the race for a Chelsea star as they look to replace Ezri Konsa ahead of his transfer to Arsenal. Two days before the start of new Premier League season, it was reported that the Gunners had struck a deal to sign the England international for an initial £51million. Konsa, a centre-back also capable of playing on the right, had emerged as Mikel Arteta’s top defensive target in light of injuries to William Saliba and Jurrien Timber. While a boost for Arsenal, it is yet another massive transfer blow for Villa who have seen the core of their team ripped apart this summer, with Morgan Rogers, Youri Tielemans and Lucas Digne departing. Exclusive Premier League previews Get ahead of the start of the season with our weekly football newsletter. Sign up now for free. It could yet get worse for Unai Emery, with Emiliano Martinez almost certain to leave, while Ollie Watkins is keen on a move to Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal. For now, Villa’s focus is on replacing Konsa and, according to Sky Sports, they are interested in Tosin Adarabioyo, who is surplus to requirements at Chelsea. Tosin joined the Blues in 2024, moving across west London from Fulham on a free transfer, but has failed to establish himself in the first-team, making just 16 appearances in the Premier League last season. Tosin Adarabioyo is no longer wanted at Stamford Bridge (Photo: Getty) While he has featured in pre-season under Xabi Alonso, he was left out of the squad entirely for the final friendly against Real Sociedad last week, a clear indication he is not wanted at Stamford Bridge. The 28-year-old has been the subject of interest from Benfica, now managed by his former Fulham boss Marco Silva, but reports suggest he is not keen on the move. Marseille and Sevilla are also interested in the Englishman, and the French club have already made an approach for the Manchester City academy graduate. Tosin won the Club World Cup and Conference League with Chelsea (Photo: Getty) It is not known how much Chelsea would want for Tosin, who has two years left on his contract. He is not the only centre-back the Blues are trying to offload before deadline day, with Mamadou Sarr, Aarón Anselmino and Axel Disasi, who was previously loaned to Villa Park, on the transfer list. Villa kick-off their Premier League campaign away to Brighton on Sunday. For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Comment now Comments Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google Add as preferred source
Sign up now! Sign up now! Sign up now? Sign up now!In the 1941 RKO Radio Pictures/Mercury repertory theatre production Citizen Kane, Orson Welles essayed a man who began as a whirlwind of prolific energy, only to spectacularly fizzle out, to the extent that near the end, stubborn pride his only remaining fuel, he could barely move around or achieve anything of note at all. Football Daily isn’t sure how any of this relates to Charles Foster’s namesake Harry, or his recent Geopolitics World Cup campaign; nor are we sure what bit of Welles’ career Harry’s mooted move from Bayern Munich to Al-Hilal would be comparable with. The flawed masterpiece The Magnificent Ambersons, perhaps, or that thing where he loses his mind over Findus peas.Don Revie and his merry henchmen [Tuesday’s Memory Lane, full email edition] getting ready for a night on the lash, as it was back then. Lest we forget: one-club man Jack Charlton once said ‘I cant play football, but I can stop those that can’. Diamond geezer eh?” – Alvin Jordan.It was bewildering to read in Tuesdays’s Football Daily that ‘Kevin Lamour was a lone dissenting voice inside Fifa’s lair when Gianni Infantino’s plot to flog part of the World Cup to private investors – potentially on the cheap – was rumbled’. He was far from lone. Fifa’s secretary-general, Mattias Grafström, called the FFE plans a ‘sad and reproachable series of events’ in an email to staff. Fifa’s chief of global development, someone called Arsène Wenger, pronounced the withdrawal of FFE ‘absolutely necessary and beyond question’. Above all, Infantino’s right-hand man, the Fifa senior advisor Carlos Cordeiro, stated: ‘I cannot stand by while Fifa considers selling a stake in the World Cup. Let me be clear: I had no involvement in this proposal, and I oppose it unequivocally. It is a bad deal for Fifa’s member associations, a bad deal for football, and a bad deal for the long-term future of the game.’ And unlike Lamour, Grafström, or Wenger, Cordeiro put his money where his mouth was and resigned” – Simon Skinner.Talking of players’ wages, my Middlesborough friend who knew Wilf Mannion told me that when he was chosen to play for England at Wembley that they gave him a third-class rail ticket to get there. Unfortunately the train was so crowded that he had to sit on his suitcase in the corridor the whole way to London (not an unusual situation in those days)” – Bob Hopper.This is an extract from our daily football email … Football Daily. To get the full version, just visit this page and follow the instructions. Continue reading...
Bernardo Silva, 32, has been presented as a new Real Madrid player. Thirty-three days after the official announcement confirming his signing, the Portuguese midfielder took part in an institutional ce...
Aston Villa face a battle to win the race for midfield target Joao Palhinha, with family factors steering him towards Benfica. The post ‘Family Factors Weighing Heavily’ – Aston Villa Hit With Blow Amid Push For Star appeared first on Inside Futbol | Latest Football News, Transfer Rumours & Articles.
FC Porto has had an improved bid for Santos central defender Jair Filho turned down, with the Brazilian club insisting it wants to keep him until its season ends in December, according to Flashscore Portugal. Porto’s second offer, worth €12 million plus the permanent transfer of forward Wendel Silva back to Santos, followed an initial […] The post Porto’s improved bid for Santos defender Jair Filho rejected appeared first on SoccerNews.
Benfica host AGF at the Estádio da Luz on Thursday in the first leg of their Europa League play-off, with a place in this season’s league phase at stake for whoever comes through the tie. It is a rare continental assignment for the Danish visitors against a Portuguese giant with far greater European pedigree and […] The post Prediction: Benfica vs AGF appeared first on SoccerNews.
A significant midfield overhaul is under way at Manchester City. Bernardo Silva and Rodri have departed the club. Tijjani Reijnders is set to sign for Saudi Arabian club Al Qadsiah. So far, City have ...
After an injury-hit summer and a difficult second half of last season, Pulisic now has a fresh opportunity to rebuild his momentum under a coach who appears determined to get the best out of him. Christian Pulisic is heading into a pivotal new chapter at Milan, with Ruben Amorim already making it clear that the American remains central to his plans. After an injury-hit summer and a difficult second half of last season, Pulisic now has a fresh opportunity to rebuild his momentum under a coach who appears determined to get the best out of him. The 27-year-old has yet to make his competitive debut under Amorim, having missed much of preseason while recovering from the bone bruise and microfracture suffered during the United States’ World Cup defeat to Belgium. Yet rather than questioning Pulisic’s place in the squad, Amorim has repeatedly emphasized his belief in the forward and hinted at a role designed around his strengths. Pulisic’s versatility has always been one of his biggest assets. He has played on both wings, operated centrally and even featured as a false nine, but the Portuguese boss appears to have identified a specific position where he believes the American can be particularly dangerous. Speaking during Milan‘s preseason preparations, Amorim explained that he already knows how he wants to use the USMNT star. “I have a clear idea of where I want him [Pulisic] to play. Especially with the right foot on the left side, it is the perfect position for him. He can play the other side also, inside too and not on the line,” Amorim said. View this post on Instagram That points toward Pulisic playing as the left-sided No. 10 in Amorim’s preferred 3-4-2-1 system, operating behind the striker rather than staying permanently on the touchline. The position would allow him to cut inside onto his stronger right foot, combine with the wing-back and attack spaces between defenders. Pulisic has already played in similar role The idea may actually feel familiar to Pulisic after his experience with the United States at the 2026 World Cup. Although officially listed as a winger, he frequently started from the left before moving into central areas, while the left-back provided width on the outside. That setup gave Pulisic freedom to receive the ball in dangerous positions and attack defenders from different angles. His best performance of the tournament came during the opening half against Paraguay, when he helped create two goals and completed four dribbles despite playing only 45 minutes. Christian Pulisic vs Paraguay 45 minutes played pic.twitter.com/1F5pq8XzHR— – (@heruarchives) June 13, 2026 Amorim’s system could therefore give Pulisic a similar platform at club level. The major difference is that he will have more freedom to operate centrally from the beginning rather than constantly being asked to function as a traditional winger. Amorim remains firmly behind the American The tactical plan comes at an important moment for Pulisic, who endured a frustrating second half of the previous campaign. After scoring 15 goals in his first Milan season and 17 in his second, his total dropped to 10 in 2025-26, while he failed to score for the club after December. His World Cup campaign then ended in disappointment, with injuries restricting him before a second injury against Belgium forced him out of the tournament. Despite the criticism that followed, Amorim has made it clear that he does not believe Pulisic’s best days are behind him. Christian Pulisic #10 of the United States controls the ball during the FIFA World Cup 2026. “Pulisic is a really talented player,” Amorim said. “I know the strengths of Pulisic. I believe in him; he will be supported in our club.” The Milan manager added, “We believe a lot in him, have a clear plan to use all the qualities that he has, so I can say to you that Pulisic is really important for us.”
With the Serie A opener against Torino approaching, the American forward's progress has become one of the biggest talking points around the club. Christian Pulisic has finally taken an important step toward returning to competitive soccer after an injury kept him out throughout Milan’s preseason preparations. With the Serie A opener against Torino approaching, the American forward’s progress has become one of the biggest talking points around the club. Pulisic has spent the past several weeks working away from the main group after suffering a serious setback during the 2026 World Cup. Now, with the new campaign only days away, there is growing optimism that he could have a role to play sooner than initially expected. Pulisic suffered a bone bruise and microfracture to the right tibia and fibula during the United States’ World Cup round-of-16 defeat to Belgium. The injury occurred following a strange collision, and although he attempted to continue playing, he eventually had to leave the match. After the game, Pulisic explained what happened in his own words, saying, “I twisted my ankle and my knee in one play.” The injury forced him into a lengthy rehabilitation plan and ruled him out of Milan‘s entire preseason schedule. Christian Pulisic #10 of the United States reacts after challenged by Youri Tielemans #8 of Belgium The 27-year-old had continued his recovery at Milanello while the rest of the squad travelled for preseason commitments in Australia and Indonesia. His return to the training complex also allowed him to begin working toward a comeback under new head coach Ruben Amorim. Pulisic returns to group training The biggest development arrived on Tuesday, August 18, when Pulisic completed the opening portion of Milan’s team training session with his teammates. MilanNews reported that the American was able to participate in part of the session, marking a significant milestone 41 days after suffering the injury. That development immediately raised the possibility of Pulisic being involved when Milan travels to face Torino on Sunday. View this post on Instagram While his return to full fitness is still being managed carefully, the forward is now much closer to competitive action than he was only a few weeks ago. Earlier reports had suggested that the American was targeting a return toward the end of August, with the Torino fixture viewed as an ambitious target. Could Pulisic feature against Torino? The latest developments suggest Pulisic now has a realistic chance of being included in Milan’s squad for the Serie A opener against Il Toro on Sunday, August 23. His partial return to team training is an encouraging sign, although the club will have to determine whether he is physically ready for competitive minutes. Even if he makes the squad, however, a starting role is considered highly unlikely after such a long period without competitive soccer. Christian Pulisic of AC Milan warms up before the Serie A match. The priority will be avoiding another setback after such a long rehabilitation process. Even a short appearance from the bench would represent meaningful progress for Pulisic and give Amorim another attacking option as the Rossoneri begin the new Serie A campaign. For now, the expectation is that Pulisic will continue his personalized work alongside his gradual integration with the squad. His return is getting closer, and the Torino match could provide the first opportunity for Milan fans to see their American star back in action.
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