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.
Sign up now! Sign up now! Sign up now? Sign up now!♫ ♪ The champions ♫ ♪ ! Bigger Cup is back, baby! Red-hot action from the world’s premier club competition across Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Bigger Vase and Tin Pot clubs must wait for their slice of European action until after an international break almost as long as the Geopolitics World Cup itself. Rather like Gianni Infantino’s North American investment roadshow, Bigger Cup, with its revolving Swiss system, 36 teams reduced to 24 following 114 matches, has become baggier than MC Hammer’s trousers [now there’s a reference for the young readers – Football Daily Ed]. Back in Clive Tyldesley’s ITV pomp, ties such as Liverpool v Atlético, Napoli v Arsenal, and Real Madrid v Inter moved the dial, filling boozers and column inches.Should Mauricio Pochettino play Russell Crowe in his biopic or should it be the other way around?” – Krishna Moorthy.Following up on the very entertaining game between Arsenal and Chelsea, there was one piece of tactical brilliance by Xabi Alonso that didn’t get the credit it deserved. Everyone knows how dangerous Arsenal have been at corners causing chaos by saturating numbers in the opposition penalty area but Chelsea’s plan of keeping their four front men in Arsenal’s half removed a lot of the threat. Why hasn’t someone done this before and why didn’t Chelsea continue with this excellent plan?” – Nigel Sanders.Three weeks ago Hearts Women won 5-0 away against Motherwell. Two weeks ago they won 6-0 at home against Aberdeen. At the weekend they won 7-0 away at Montrose. NOW That’s What I Call Goal Difference! I’m just trying to work out when, if this sequence continues, they might set a new record football match score in the UK, beating the Arbroath 36–0 Bon Accord, which took place on 12 September 1885. A goal every two and-a-half minutes! The Mike Dean of that match probably didn’t have had to leave the centre circle for the entire game” – Ken Muir.Let me be the first of 1,057 USA USA USA-based readers to congratulate Jamie Carragher on his honesty. It is patently clear he doesn’t give a monkeys. The b@nter-filled, social media-chasing CBS Bigger Cup coverage is an absolute trainwreck. They should leave the comedy to actual comedians. As a Spurs fan I’d rather watch Arsenal win another league title than suffer through another CBS half-time production. And if you don’t believe me just ask anyone in the States … it makes you wish for the wit and wisdom of Alexi Lalas!” – Chris Brown.José Mourinho’s blathering about ‘we won what we won and lost what we lost’ (yesterday’s News, Bits and Bobs, full email edition) is just meaningless jibber-jabber. It’s right up there with the mindless ‘it is what it is’. I challenge the Football Daily pedant community: what isn’t what it is? What has a club not won what it won? When does a team not lose what it’s lost? Is there a plausible weeklong riff here? Or is that not what it is?” – Mike Wilner. Continue reading...
Ollie Watkins' departure to Al-Hilal - which lurched between acrimonious and emotional - has left Aston Villa without their best attacking outlet. Despite just one goal in his first 13 top-flight games last season, he ended up netting 16, leaving him on 91 Premier League goals - a club record. Nicolas Jackson was brought in as Watkins' direct replacement and was a priority signing for Unai Emery, having worked together at Villarreal.
VfB Stuttgart attacker Bilal El Khannouss has been linked with a move away from the German club. According to reports from Fussball Daten, Newcastle United, Tottenham Hotspur, Everton and Crystal Palace are monitoring the former Leicester City star. It remains to be seen whether they are prepared to make an official approach in the coming […] The post Tottenham join four-way race for€55 million-rated Bundesliga star appeared first on CaughtOffside.
Chelsea explored a late move for Fulham midfielder Sander Berge during the closing stages of the summer transfer window as they prepared for Enzo Fernandez’s departure to Manchester City. The Blues were keen to avoid being left short in midfield, but their interest in Berge never progressed to a formal offer. Want more CaughtOffside coverage? […] The post BBC: Chelsea considered late move for experienced midfielder from London rivals appeared first on CaughtOffside.
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