Foot & Soccer Soccer Match Reports, Football News 
Milan‘s ambitions for a top-four end face a pivotal second as they tackle Bologna in a rescheduled Serie A fixture. With stress mounting, supervisor Sergio Conceicao has made a daring tactical determination, shaking up his attacking lineup looking for higher outcomes.
The extremely anticipated “Incredible 4”—Christian Pulisic, Joao Felix, Rafael Leao, and Santiago Gimenez—has been dismantled, with Pulisic notably absent from the beginning XI. However why has the American winger been dropped?
Initially scheduled for October 2024, this Week 9 conflict was postponed attributable to flood warnings, and now, 4 months later, it carries far better significance. Each Milan and Bologna are tied on 41 factors in seventh place, making this recreation a defining second of their respective seasons. For Milan, the stakes are even larger—they’re presently eight factors behind Juventus in fourth place, and this match is their recreation in hand. A failure to safe three factors may very well be the ultimate blow to their Champions League aspirations.
Whereas the prospect of a entrance 4 that includes Pulisic, Felix, Leao, and Gimenez was thrilling on paper, the truth has been disappointing. In accordance with Sky Italia, the quartet has produced only one aim in 933 mixed minutes during the last three video games—in opposition to Feyenoord (twice) and Torino. Given this underwhelming output, Conceicao has opted for a extra conventional construction, deploying Joao Felix, Rafael Leao, and Tijjani Reijnders behind Gimenez.
Purpose behind Pulisic’s absence
At first look, Pulisic’s omission could seem like a response to his latest performances. Nonetheless, the truth is totally different. Conceicao has repeatedly acknowledged that the American winger is nonetheless not bodily prepared to finish a full 90 minutes. Forward of final weekend’s match, the Portuguese supervisor admitted: “Pulisic doesn’t have 90 minutes in his legs. We’re engaged on it. A minimum of for the type of play I need, he must be intense for the total 90 minutes.”
Moreover, the Rossoneri have a vital match in opposition to Lazio this Sunday, which means the Portuguese boss has doubtless opted to relaxation the USMNT star to make sure he’s in prime situation for the upcoming fixture.
What this implies for Milan
Pulisic’s latest type has additionally raised issues. In accordance with Transfermarkt, his final non-penalty aim in Serie A got here on October 6, 2024, in opposition to Fiorentina. Whereas he has scored in different competitions, his open-play drought within the league extends into its fourth month, which is an alarming statistic for the Pink and Blacks’ assault.
His struggles had been additional highlighted in opposition to Torino, when his penalty was saved within the first half—a second of frustration not only for him however for Milan as a complete. That missed spot-kick was historic in an unlucky manner, because it was the primary time in his skilled profession that he had did not convert a penalty. Previous to that, he had been flawless, scoring 12 out of 12 penalties throughout membership and worldwide matches.
Within the 26-year-old’s absence, Milan will look to Joao Felix to supply creativity and link-up play with Leao and Gimenez. In the meantime, Youssouf Fofana returns to midfield, including stability alongside Yunus Musah and Reijnders. On the defensive finish, Alex Jimenez begins at right-back because of the absences of Kyle Walker, Alessandro Florenzi, and Emerson Royal.
Growing story…
