Christian Pulisic will be available for AC Milan’s Coppa Italia clash against Lazio on Thursday, as confirmed by coach Massimiliano Allegri. The two teams are set to face off just five days after their last encounter in Serie A, where Milan secured a narrow 1-0 victory at San Siro, thanks to a second-half goal from Rafael Leao, despite the absence of the injured Pulisic.
Now, the American winger is back in contention as the Rossoneri travel to the Stadio Olimpico for the knockout stage after previously eliminating Bari and Lecce in this year’s competition. However, Allegri will be without players such as Youssouf Fofana and Santiago Gimenez for this important match.
“The Coppa Italia doesn’t interest anyone until the round of 16 when the big teams enter, and then it rightly captures everyone’s attention,” Allegri stated to SportMediaset. “We need to play well; away from home it won’t be easy. There won’t be extra time, so we must make the most of the 90 minutes against a team that shares our goal.”
Pulisic’s return is a boost for the Milan squad, with Allegri highlighting the importance of having all players available. “I need all our players, and it’s vital that they are all fit,” he added.
The previous Serie A match also featured a contentious moment when referee Giuseppe Collu was called to review a potential penalty for Lazio via the VAR monitor, leading to a heated exchange between the benches. Allegri was shown a red card for his protests during this incident. In response, Lazio coach Maurizio Sarri suggested placing the VAR monitor on the opposite side of the pitch to avoid further disputes, a proposal Allegri agreed could be beneficial. “It could be a good solution,” he remarked, while also noting that such decisions fall under the responsibility of the appropriate authorities.
As the teams prepare for what promises to be an intense Coppa Italia showdown, the return of Pulisic could play a crucial role in Milan’s performance, offering fans hope for a successful outing in this prestigious tournament.