AC Milan coach Ruben Amorim confirmed Friday that American forward Christian Pulisic is frustrated after failing to play a single minute through the club’s first three matches of the season, despite being named to the bench each time.
Pulisic’s absence from the field has been attributed to a bone bruise and microfracture in his right tibia, injuries that surfaced after the United States was eliminated from the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Amorim, speaking to reporters, said he views Pulisic’s frustration as a positive sign.
“He is angry because he has had zero minutes so far and I like that in my players,” Amorim said, according to GOAL. “Don’t forget that he had an injury in the summer and then in the first training session he took a knock and had to stop.”
That drought appears set to end soon. Amorim indicated Pulisic is likely to see the field this weekend, though the extent of his involvement remains uncertain.
“You will see him tomorrow, I don’t know whether from the start or during the game. I think he will play a few minutes,” Amorim said.
The coach also made clear that Pulisic’s reputation won’t earn him a spot in the lineup at the expense of players currently performing well.
“I will not take out those who are doing well just to put in a ‘name’: this is my way of managing the group and I will die with these principles,” Amorim told reporters. “Pulisic is very important for me. After the international break there are eight weeks with three games a week: everyone will be tired because of how much they will play. Pulisic is important and he will play a lot of matches. But you have to understand the context and my history to understand why I make certain choices. But you will see Pulisic from this weekend onwards.”
Amorim took charge of AC Milan ahead of this season, succeeding Massimiliano Allegri. He began his coaching career in 2017 and has twice been named Primeira Liga manager of the year.
Pulisic is entering his fourth season with the club. He started in 32 and 29 matches in his first two seasons in Milan, respectively, before appearing in 30 games last season but starting only 18 of them.
