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After deciding to switch to a 3-5-2 during preseason, Massimiliano Allegri had a very specific starting attacking partnership in mind: Christian Pulisic and Rafael Leao.
However, as we wrote about in our feature last night, they are yet to actually start together due to injuries. Firstly the Portuguese went down with a calf issue, before the American sustained a muscle problem just as Leao was coming back.
Towards the derby
As reported this morning by Corriere dello Sport (via MilanNews), after the break Milan will play against their city rivals and the table-toppers Inter. Allegri will finally be able to field the Leao-Pulisic duo from the start.
Leao will be playing against Ireland tonight with Portugal and then against Armenia on Sunday, but he’s expected at Milanello on Tuesday and will therefore have plenty of time to prepare for the match against the Nerazzurri.
The American – who returned in Parma after a muscle problem that kept him out for almost a month – was not called up to the United States squad. He will therefore use this break to train and regain top form as quickly as possible.
While they’ve only been on the pitch once since the start of the season from the start (Coppa Italia vs. Bari), Leao and Pulisic have played together twice during the match.
The first was for 20 minutes against Juventus, when Rafa missed a big chance after a set-up from Chris. The second was in Parma, when Pulisic ‘returned the favour’ by spurning a one-on-one that came after a nice flick from his strike partner.
English (US) ·