The American must step up with Rafael Leao out of the line-up and the Rossoneri's European hopes on the brink
When it comes to social media, Christian Pulisic doesn't really say too much. His Instagram is mostly limited to match photos and sponsored posts with the occasional vacation highlight mixed in. His latest post is something similar: A look back at a win over Fiorentina over the weekend that kept AC Milan in the mix near the top of Serie A.
The caption to that post was relatively basic but, in this case, relatively meaningful. "Big week ahead", it read, and that's putting it lightly.
Milan are heading into their penultimate Champions League group-stage game on Tuesday and two-thirds of the way through this stage of the competition, it's still all to play for. Hosting Borussia Dortmund at San Siro, Pulisic and Milan can't seal their advancement as, even with a win, that will go down to the final day. They could, though, see their path towards the knockouts stamped out with a loss and a Paris Saint-Germain win over Newcastle.
Making it all the more complicated is the fact that Milan will be shorthanded for what is no doubt the biggest match of the season so far. So as Pulisic said, "big week ahead", and the United States men's national team star may just be the key to his side surviving that big week.
GettyBack in the nick of time
In truth, Pulisic recovered just in time. The USMNT star missed out on the international break as he nursed an injury, and without the winger, the U.S. took care of business, moving past Trinidad & Tobago and into the Copa America next summer.
The aim always was, though, for Pulisic to be back for this first game after the international break. And, low and behold, he was named in Stefano Pioli's team for that match against Fiorentina. It wasn't a pretty game by any stretch, one won by a Theo Hernandez penalty. That penalty was set up by Pulisic, of course, as he played the ball to spring the France international in the lead up to the foul in the box.
Most importantly, though, Pulisic went 61 minutes in his return, showing that there aren't any lingering issues from his injury. So now, it's not Pulisic's fitness that Milan is worrying about. Instead, Pioli now must figure out if the American is the answer to another crisis that threatens to sink their Champions League hopes.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesLacking Leao
If you haven't seen him over the last few years, Leao is a hell of a player. The 24-year-old Portugal attacker is teetering right below that world-class level. He's a player that can, and often does, decide games in Milan's favor.
Leao, though, won't be available for Tuesday's match. The winger continues to deal with a muscle injury suffered just before the international break, and that seems likely to keep him out for at least a while longer.
That leaves Milan with a massive problem, one that likely doesn't have a solution. Last season, Leao was directly responsible for 24 goals in all competitions. The year before, he scored or assisted 20 goals. Leao is truly a game-changer, and his abilities will be sorely missed.
So, without their best player, what can Milan do? Which players will need to step up?
GettyMilan's attacking trio
While Leao's absence remains the bad news, there is some good coming Milan's way. It does appear that another attacking star will be back in the line-up.
Olivier Giroud was suspended for the Fiorentina match, but is now set to re-join the XI as Milan return to the Champions League. That gives Milan their talismanic striker back, which is huge for their chances against Dortmund.
Giroud frequently finds ways to turn back the clock with Milan, with this somehow being his best season yet. He has eight goals in 16 appearance sin all competitions, with seven of those goals going along with three assists in Serie A.
On Giroud's right-hand side will be Samuel Chukwueze, more than likely. Signed from Villarreal this summer, the Nigerian star is a heck of a dribbler. However, so far with Milan, he's struggled to really create for himself or others. He has just one assist since joining the club and has not yet got on the scoresheet.
So that brings us to the left, Leao's usual spot, where a certain American will almost certainly line up…
ENJOYED THIS STORY?
Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting
Getty ImagesPulisic's big moment
Pulisic played on the left at Chelsea, but has largely played on the right at Milan. However, with Leao out, it'll likely be the American that will take up the Portuguese star's spot over on that left-hand side.
He'll also take over as Milan's primary dangerman, the one most likely to make something happen. Giroud is a natural finisher, no doubt, and he does have assists in his game. However, he isn't the type of player to beat teams all on his own. Chukwueze hasn't shown he can be, either. Pulisic, though, has that in his locker.
Pulisic has shown that in bunches with the USMNT and, so far, in flashes with Milan. He has four goals and two assists so far for the Rossoneri and has largely been able to make things happen both for himself and others since making the move to Italy.
Because of that, he'll be a massive key to the game for Milan, who, thus far, have struggled to score goals in the Champions League. Pulisic's ability to not just progress the ball, but make something happen afterwards, will be hugely important to Milan's attack. Without Leao, they're missing a real focal point, which opens the door for Pulisic to step in.
Pulisic, of course, will know this. He's a player that for years had to play with some level of doubt in his head. At Chelsea, he was under constant pressure to perform because, if not, the bench would call him to it.
At Milan, there's no such pressure. He's an integral figure to the team, for sure. However, he will be under a different type of pressure in this match as his team will likely need a big game from him as he stares down a very familiar opponent.