Sergio Conceicao has confirmed that Christian Pulisic will not be available for AC Milan’s highly anticipated Serie A clash against Juventus on Saturday. The American international, who is Milan’s top scorer this season with 10 goals in all competitions, including a penalty in their Supercoppa Italiana win over Juventus, was forced off at half-time during Tuesday’s victory over Como due to a knock.
Conceicao stated that Pulisic’s absence is a precautionary measure to avoid further aggravating his injury, as he has recently returned from a calf injury. “Pulisic is out, I don’t want to bluff,” the Milan boss told reporters in his pre-match press conference. “He still has some discomfort, and I don’t want to risk it. It’s nothing serious, but playing him for 20 minutes could worsen his situation, and I don’t want that.”
Milan, currently in seventh place, are unbeaten in their last eight matches across all competitions. A win against Juventus at San Siro would see them leapfrog their opponents and move up to fifth in the league table. Conceicao acknowledged the strength of both teams and highlighted the importance of the match. “There is balance, they are two strong teams,” he said. “Two teams that have very interesting players, but all the matches are different. Tomorrow, we have to face a team that played a good match against Atalanta [drawing 1-1 on Tuesday].”
The Milan manager also mentioned the tight schedule ahead, with matches in the Champions League, Serie A, and Coppa Italia. “We are working on small things that, for me, are big things. But we have little time, there are many matches – important ones. Up to the beginning of February, we play in the Champions League, the league and the Coppa Italia.”
In anticipation of the clash, AC Milan tweeted, “A feast of bangers, for Rossoneri eyes to savour. #JuveMilan #SempreMilan.”
