The respect shown by Ruben Amorim towards Gennaro Gattuso and Lazio inevitably stems from the clear progress made so far by the white‑blue side. The match at the Olimpico, scheduled for Saturday at 18:00, is a delicate test for a Milan side called to raise its level compared with what was shown against Juventus.

Amorim does not seem intent on changing his method. The Portuguese wants to reward those who give him the best guarantees during the week, without being influenced by the prestige or status of individual players. This line risks producing another particularly significant exclusion.

Pulisic Milan, new bench against Lazio

According to Calciomercato.com, Christian Pulisic should start from the bench for the fourth consecutive match. This is an unprecedented situation for the American since he signed with Milan on 13 July 2023.

On the right flank, Cissé should return, a positive protagonist in previous away games, with Adrien Rabiot at his side. In midfield, Ardon Jashari would be in a duel with Luka Modrić to complete the unit together with Yunus Musah.

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Pulisic’s bench role should not be a total exclusion. Amorim announced at a press conference that the former Chelsea player will make his season league debut against Lazio. The most concrete hypothesis is therefore a relay with Cissé during the second half.

Milan awaits the real Pulisic

The issue, however, does not only concern the field. The American’s discontent would have deeper roots and would intertwine with the contract renewal theme. In the spring of 2025 Pulisic had refused the Milan proposal, not being fully convinced of the future direction of the project.

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Gerry Cardinale continues to consider him one of the most important players in the squad, also for his commercial relevance in the United States market. Despite this, Milan has not yet obtained clearance for an extension until 2030.

Contacts between the parties would have resumed in recent weeks, but now a turning point is needed. Milan needs to understand whether Pulisic intends to become a central element of the new cycle or if the distances are destined to remain. At the same time, Amorim awaits a concrete response on the pitch.

The Olimpico bench could represent another difficult passage, but also the starting point for a reaction. Milan needs the real Pulisic: involved, decisive and fully convinced of the red‑black project.