Pulisic set for AC Milan return against Lazio as Amorim backs his frustration

AC Milan head coach Ruben Amorim says Christian Pulisic is unhappy at having played no minutes this season but is ready to feature against Lazio in Serie A on Saturday.

The United States forward has not appeared in any competitive match this campaign, although Amorim expects him to take part at San Siro. It remains unclear whether Pulisic will start or come on as a substitute.

“I think you will see Pulisic. I do not know whether he will start or come off the bench, but I believe he will play at least a few minutes now,” Amorim said. “I like Pulisic.”

He added: “Pulisic is angry at the moment because he has zero minutes, and I like that. I like that in my players. But he is ready to play.

“Do not forget that he had an injury and then suffered a knock in his first training session, so he stopped and then came back.”

Amorim said he would not select players purely on reputation, insisting that those performing well would retain their places.

“It does not matter if you are a big player. I will not leave out players who are performing well just to play anyone else in the world,” he said. “That is my way of life, and it is the way I will finish my career.”

Pulisic would have an important role during a demanding period after the international break, when AC Milan will play three matches a week for eight weeks.

“He is very important to us and will play many matches,” Amorim said. “There will be time for everyone. You will see him this week, and you will not miss him too much.”

The Portuguese coach refused to reveal his starting line-up, saying Pulisic had trained well, Cisse was performing “excellently” and Hutchinson was regaining fitness. He also praised the impact of substitutes in AC Milan’s last three matches.

Amorim praises Gattuso influence

Lazio have won each of their first three Serie A matches and will face an AC Milan side continuing with a 3-4-2-1 formation.

“Lazio have a lot of speed. They are very aggressive and have a clear identity,” Amorim said.

He highlighted their build-up with four defenders and three midfielders, described Frattesi’s signing as “an excellent deal” and praised their two wingers and new striker.

“Gattuso is one of AC Milan’s legends, and I think his image is very important for our team at the moment,” Amorim said.

He argued that the former midfielder’s passion and aggression were qualities AC Milan needed to reproduce, saying the team had sometimes lacked those attributes more than talent in recent years.

Amorim also discussed his options in the two attacking midfield positions. Rabiot is more accustomed to playing box to box than between the lines, although he is effective near the penalty area. Loftus-Cheek can operate there but needs greater consistency, while Cisse and Pulisic also possess the characteristics required.

On Luka Modric, Amorim accepted that the midfielder cannot press continuously in every situation, but said his ability to control the tempo was vital.

“Modric understands better than the others how to play with the ball,” he said. “If we have to miss something, it should be without the ball. With it, we must be good or very good.”