Winger’s Injury Return Nears as Allegri Eyes Derby Showdown with Inter

When Christian Pulisic limped off the pitch on international duty earlier this month, few at AC Milan could have predicted how quickly his absence would change the team’s attacking rhythm. In the weeks since his hamstring tear, the Rossoneri have looked blunter in front of goal, their wide play less incisive, and their transitions slower. Now, with the derby against Inter Milan looming, the club are determined to have their American star back — and they’ve reportedly asked new USMNT coach Mauricio Pochettino not to summon him for November’s international fixtures.

It’s a delicate situation that intertwines club ambition with national duty, and one that Milan are handling with the caution of a team that knows just how crucial Pulisic could be to their immediate future.

Pulisic Nearing Return as Milan Manage His Recovery

According to Calciomercato, AC Milan have formally reached out to the U.S. Soccer Federation to request that Pulisic be omitted from the upcoming national-team squad. The reasoning is simple: the player is still in the final stage of recovery from a biceps femoris tear in his right thigh — and Milan want him to complete that rehabilitation in Italy rather than risk a premature return across the Atlantic.

The 27-year-old winger sustained the injury during a friendly against Australia while representing the U.S. in the previous international window. At the time, initial scans suggested a 20-day recovery period, but Milan’s medical staff have taken a more conservative approach, ensuring that the player returns only when fully fit.

In practice, that means Pulisic will definitely miss Milan’s upcoming Serie A trip to Atalanta on Tuesday. There’s a faint hope he could make the bench for Sunday’s home fixture against Roma, but even that might come too soon. Club insiders suggest that the more realistic target is a full return against Parma — just days before the high-stakes Derby della Madonnina.

And for Milan manager Massimiliano Allegri, that derby is everything.

Allegri’s Vision: The Ideal Attack Featuring Pulisic and Leão

Allegri’s tactical blueprint this season has been clear — at least on paper. He envisions an attack built around the dynamism of Rafael Leão on the left and the directness of Christian Pulisic on the right, with both interchanging fluidly behind a mobile centre-forward. It’s a system that worked briefly at the start of the campaign before injuries struck both wide players in quick succession.

Pulisic, before his setback, had been in superb form: four goals and two assists in just six Serie A appearances, including match-winning displays against Lazio and Genoa. His understanding with Leão looked promising, their alternating movements often stretching defences and creating space for Milan’s central midfielders to exploit.

But Allegri hasn’t been able to field that combination since mid-September. The result has been a makeshift forward line, one that has relied too heavily on striker Santiago Giménez, whose relationship with the manager is, by all accounts, “strained.”

According to Calciomercato’s report, that relationship has reached an “all-time low,” with Allegri using the Mexican striker more out of necessity than preference. Giménez’s inconsistent form, coupled with Leão’s sporadic availability, has left Milan searching for attacking balance — something Pulisic’s return could instantly restore.

The Request to Pochettino: “Let Him Stay in Milan”

The diplomatic note from Milan to the USMNT is as much about protecting the player as it is about protecting the club’s season. Reports in both La Gazzetta dello Sport and Calciomercato suggest that Milan have requested Pulisic’s exemption from the two November friendlies — against Paraguay and Uruguay — scheduled just before the domestic season resumes.

At minimum, Milan hope Pochettino will agree to leave the winger out of the second match, which will take place in New Jersey. The reasoning is logistical as much as medical: a transatlantic flight, intense training sessions, and two competitive friendlies are not ideal for a player still completing rehab on a muscle injury.

The club’s plea is grounded in pragmatism. The Derby della Madonnina against Inter arrives the weekend after the international break, and Allegri wants his team to have a full, uninterrupted training block in Milan — with Pulisic integrated back into the system.

For the Rossoneri, this derby isn’t just about local bragging rights. Inter currently sit above Milan in the Serie A table, and a victory could close the gap at the top — potentially reigniting the Scudetto race heading into December.

Pulisic’s Own Update: “Recovery Going Great”

Christian Pulisic AC Milan 2025-26

While Milan and U.S. officials quietly negotiate, Pulisic himself has offered a reassuring update to fans. In a brief post on social media last week, the winger wrote:

“It’s been a tough couple of weeks, but my recovery is going great. I can’t wait to get back out there.”

That short message was enough to calm fears of a longer absence. Those close to the player say he’s been fully committed to his rehab program, splitting time between physiotherapy, light pitch work, and gym sessions at Milanello.

Sources within the club describe his recovery as “ahead of schedule,” with Pulisic already back to running drills and low-intensity ball work. What remains is a gradual reintroduction to full training — a process Allegri doesn’t want disrupted by international travel or match demands.

The Bigger Picture: Club vs. Country Balance

Milan’s request is part of a growing trend across Europe, where top clubs are becoming increasingly protective of their players’ fitness during international windows. It’s not unusual for teams to seek exemptions, particularly for players returning from muscular injuries — the kind most susceptible to setbacks after long flights or abrupt shifts in training intensity.

For Pochettino, the newly appointed U.S. head coach, it’s a balancing act. On one hand, he’ll want his best player available as he begins to stamp his authority on the national team. On the other, he knows that jeopardizing Pulisic’s club fitness could backfire — especially with the U.S. preparing for key competitive fixtures in early 2025.

From Milan’s perspective, keeping Pulisic in Italy for another two weeks could make all the difference. They’re entering a critical phase of the season: Allegri’s men have matches against Roma, Parma, and Inter before heading into a dense winter calendar featuring European competition.

Allegri’s Striker Dilemma and the Need for Balance

Behind the scenes, the tension between Allegri and Santiago Giménez has been one of Milan’s more intriguing subplots. While Giménez’s work rate has been praised, reports suggest that Allegri questions his adaptability and off-the-ball intelligence. The manager has been openly searching for a more flexible attacking dynamic — one that hinges on the interplay between Leão and Pulisic rather than a static centre-forward.

In that sense, Pulisic’s recovery isn’t just important; it’s transformative. With the American’s ability to cut inside, link play, and press aggressively, Allegri can revert to his preferred fluid 4-2-3-1 system, giving Milan more verticality and unpredictability in the final third.

And for Pulisic himself, this next stretch represents a pivotal period in his career. After leaving Chelsea to revive his trajectory in Italy, he has found a home where he’s trusted — and where, for the first time in years, he’s playing consistent football in his natural position.

Mauricio Pochettino USMNT

What Comes Next

Milan’s schedule doesn’t ease up after the derby. Following the Inter clash, they travel to Scotland for a tough Europa League fixture against Rangers — another match in which Allegri hopes to have Pulisic fully fit and firing.

In the meantime, club doctors will continue liaising with U.S. medical staff to align on the player’s recovery plan. If Pochettino agrees to Milan’s request, Pulisic will remain at Milanello throughout the international break, focusing on conditioning, tactical reintegration, and, crucially, confidence-building drills.

Should that happen, Milan fans could see their American talisman back in red and black just in time to face their city rivals — a return perfectly scripted for the spotlight.

Final Thoughts: A Strategic Pause Before the Storm

The tension between international duty and club priorities is nothing new, but in Christian Pulisic’s case, it feels particularly nuanced. He’s not just a player recovering from injury; he’s a cornerstone of both Milan’s attacking identity and the United States’ national team aspirations.

For now, Milan’s message to Mauricio Pochettino is clear: patience pays. Let Pulisic rest, recover, and rebuild his rhythm in Milan — because a fully fit Christian Pulisic doesn’t just elevate a team; he changes games, alters strategies, and turns good sides into great ones.

If the negotiations succeed, Allegri could finally field his dream front line — Leão and Pulisic, flying down the flanks in unison — just in time for one of Serie A’s biggest nights. And if that happens, the derby against Inter could mark not just Pulisic’s return, but the rebirth of Milan’s attacking spark.