The Shocking Reason Christian Pulisic Is Benched for Milan Against Lazio – What’s Really Going On?

Christian Pulisic’s frustrating start to the 2026-27 Serie A season is set to continue, with the Milan star starting today’s clash with Lazio from the bench. The USMNT winger has been waiting patiently for his first competitive minutes under Ruben Amorim, but there is still something standing between him and a return to the starting XI.

For Pulisic, the situation is becoming increasingly unusual. He has been named in Milan’s squad for all three league matches so far but has not played a single minute, and Saturday’s trip to the Stadio Olimpico is expected to extend that wait into a fourth consecutive game.

Pulisic returned to group training after a difficult summer, but his comeback has been carefully managed. The 27-year-old endured multiple physical problems during the 2026 World Cup, including a bone bruise and microfracture around his right tibia and fibula, which limited him to 224 minutes across four appearances for the United States.

His return to Milan training was also interrupted by another knock, meaning he has not had the kind of uninterrupted preseason preparation Amorim would have wanted. That has made his absence from the starting lineup easier to understand, although it has still been frustrating for a player who previously established himself as one of the Rossoneri’s most important attacking figures.

Christian Pulisic of AC Milan looks on

The numbers from last season underline how much his consistency had already been affected. Opta recorded 30 Serie A appearances and 1,611 minutes for Pulisic in 2025-26, compared with 34 appearances and 2,489 minutes the previous season.

The real reason Pulisic is starting on the bench

The mystery surrounding Pulisic’s absence becomes clearer when Amorim’s comments are taken into account. The Milan coach has repeatedly stressed that the American is being managed carefully following his injury problems, rather than being pushed aside because of a lack of confidence in his ability.

“Pulisic is back from injury. I’m managing him. For now, Alpha is taking his place,” Amorim explained, referring to 19-year-old Alphadjo Cisse, who has taken advantage of Pulisic’s absence.