Why Pulisic was left out of Milan starting line-up vs. Lecce – Football Italia

MILAN, ITALY – AUGUST 17: Rafael Leao of AC Milan celebrates with his team-mate Christian Pulisic after scoring the opening goal during the Coppa Italia match between AC Milan and SSC Bari at Stadio San Siro on August 17, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Christian Pulisic is only on the AC Milan bench for this evening’s trip to Lecce, as the USMNT star is struggling with a fitness issue.

Their Serie A match against Lecce kicks off at the Stadio Via del Mare at 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT).

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from this game and Cremonese vs. Sassuolo on the Liveblog.

Why Pulisic did not start in Milan-Lecce in Serie A 

The American had started their first match of the campaign, a shock 2-1 home defeat to Cremonese at San Siro last weekend.

He would’ve been in the starting XI for tonight’s encounter too, but Pulisic has been struggling with an ankle issue for much of the summer.

It flared up again over the last few days and coach Max Allegri decided to keep him on the bench to begin with.

This led to the decision to field Alexis Saelemaekers alongside Santiago Gimenez in Milan’s 3-5-2 on Friday evening. Rafael Leao was also ruled out earlier this week with an injury that he picked up in the 2-0 victory over Bari in the Coppa Italia.