Milan coach Ruben Amorim has confirmed that Christian Pulisic will make his first appearance of the 2026-27 season against Lazio on Saturday, despite the American international being “upset” about his lack of playing time. Speaking at a press conference on Friday, Amorim also backed young forward Aphadjo Cissé for an Italy national team call-up, praising his readiness.
Pulisic’s Return and Frustration
Pulisic has yet to feature in any competitive games this season, a situation that Amorim admitted has left the USMNT star feeling “upset.” The coach, however, expressed his appreciation for Pulisic’s frustration, stating, “I love that in my players.” Amorim clarified that Pulisic had been sidelined by an injury, followed by a knock in his first training session back, which delayed his return.
The Milan boss emphasised his policy of not dropping players who are performing well to accommodate others. He assured that Pulisic remains “very important” for the team, especially with a demanding schedule of eight weeks with three games per week set to begin after the upcoming international break. “Pulisic is very important for us and is going to play a lot of games,” Amorim stated, urging understanding of the context behind his decisions.
Cissé’s Italy Prospects
Amorim believes Aphadjo Cissé is “ready” for his first call-up to the Italy squad. The young forward has impressed, netting two goals in Milan’s opening three Serie A matches. While confident in Cissé’s ability to perform at the international level, Amorim noted that the player still needs time to develop, particularly in adjusting to the pressures of playing at San Siro compared to away matches.
Lazio Challenge and Milan’s Form
Milan head into Saturday’s Serie A clash against Lazio with a record of two wins and one draw from their opening three league games, following a recent draw against Juventus. Amorim previewed a tough encounter, describing Lazio as a team with “a lot of pace,” “very aggressive,” and possessing a “clear identity.” Lazio themselves have enjoyed a strong start to the season, winning all three of their opening Serie A fixtures.
The Rossoneri coach confirmed that his side will maintain their 3-4-2-1 system. A victory against Lazio could see Milan temporarily climb to the top of the Serie A table, though Amorim downplayed the significance of the league standings at this early stage of the season. “The table doesn’t matter now. I’m not even looking at the table,” he remarked, focusing instead on the immediate challenge.
Amorim’s Philosophy and Team Ethos
Amorim also touched upon his coaching philosophy, citing Milan legend Gennaro Gattuso as an “example” for his current squad. He highlighted Gattuso’s passion and aggression as qualities Milan has “missed in recent years” and needs to replicate. The coach also addressed recent criticism following the Juventus draw, stating he is not concerned, having experienced similar or worse at a former club, Manchester United. He reiterated his commitment to always putting the team first and striving for dominance in games.