Milan Face Udinese with Key Injuries as Pulisic’s Role Remains in Focus
Milan travel to Udinese amid injury crisis and a quest to rebound from Europa disappointment
On Sunday, 25 October, AC Milan will head to the Bluenergy Stadium to take on a struggling Udinese side. The Rossoneri are still unbeaten in Serie A, having gathered 15 points from seven games – four victories and three draws – but a 3-0 loss to Bournemouth in the Europa League, compounded by an early red card for goalkeeper Mike Maignan, has left a sour taste in the camp.
Udinese’s plight
Udinese enter the match on the back of five consecutive league defeats and are edging closer to the relegation zone. The clash therefore offers Milan a chance to widen the gap between themselves and the lower half of the table while also sharpening their edge before a demanding stretch of fixtures.
Injury list deepens
Ruben Amorim’s squad has been hit hard by fitness setbacks. Three first‑team regulars – defender Mario Gila, midfielder Adrien Rabiot and winger Diego Moreira – have been ruled out for the Udinese game. Gila is nursing left‑ankle inflammation caused by overload, Rabiot is dealing with right‑calf fatigue and Moreira is sidelined with a left‑hamstring issue.
The list does not end there. Matteo Gabbia, Alexis Saelemaekers and Samuel Chukwueze are also unavailable, stretching the depth of the squad as it prepares for a mid‑week clash with Bologna and the upcoming Milan derby against Inter.
Positive sign: Gonçalo Ramos returns
Amid the setbacks, the Portuguese striker has completed his rehabilitation from a calf problem and is back in training. Ramos is expected to lead the line, providing a familiar focal point for the attack.
Christian Pulisic’s anticipated role
Despite the turmoil, the American winger is likely to be named in the starting eleven. Amorim appears to be planning a 4‑3‑3 formation, with Pulisic operating on the left side of the front three alongside Ramos and Omari Hutchinson. If selected, Pulisic will bring creativity and a goal threat that Milan have missed since their European setback.
With Rabiot and Moreira absent, the responsibility for creating chances will fall more heavily on the forward line. Pulisic’s inclusion would therefore give Amorim a proven attacking outlet as the team seeks to convert solid performances into wins – an area that has proven elusive, given three recent away draws in Serie A.
Projected starting XI
- Goalkeeper: Mike Maignan
- Defence: Fikayo Tomori, Pierre‑David De Winter, Marko Pavlović, Alessandro Bartesaghi
- Midfield: Caleb Musah, Luka Modrić, Ruben Loftus‑Cheek
- Attack: Omari Hutchinson, Gonçalo Ramos, Christian Pulisic
What the match means for Milan
A win against Udinese would reinforce Milan’s position among the Serie A front‑runners and provide a morale boost ahead of a packed schedule that includes a challenging derby with Inter. It would also help the team regain confidence after the Bournemouth loss, especially given their respectable away record – only three league defeats on the road since the start of last season.
Conversely, a slip-up could see the Rossoneri’s unbeaten run halted and add pressure to a squad already juggling a growing injury list. The tactical mystery surrounding Pulisic’s exact duties – whether he will be used more as a wide attacker or cut inside to support Ramos – will be a key storyline to watch.
Looking ahead
After Udinese, Milan’s calendar remains congested. A mid‑week Serie A meeting with Bologna will test the depth of Amorim’s options, while the derby against Inter looms as a potential turning point in the campaign. How the coach manages his squad rotation and whether Pulisic can deliver a decisive performance will likely influence Milan’s trajectory for the rest of the season.
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