Pulisic and Nkunku in frame for Milan as Allegri ponders Napoli attack
AC Milan manager Massimiliano Allegri is considering a starting attack of Christian Pulisic and Christopher Nkunku for this weekend's Serie A clash against Napoli, according to reports from Italy. With Rafael Leao unlikely to be fit enough to start, the tactical focus at Milanello has shifted to finding the most effective forward pairing from the available options.
Italian outlet La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that Allegri is expected to persist with his customary 3-5-2 formation at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona. This system leaves little room for a trident, pushing the decision towards which two attackers will lead the line. The most probable combination, as the club prepares for training, is said to be Pulisic alongside Nkunku, a duo that has not started together since a 3-0 win over Verona on December 28.
That match against Verona showcased the potential of the partnership, with Pulisic scoring once and Nkunku netting a brace in the second half. Since then, the pair have shared the pitch only in brief cameos off the bench, totaling fewer than 50 minutes across three appearances. The report suggests their technical qualities and unpredictability make them a theoretically compatible pair, though questions remain about Pulisic's adaptation to a role that requires him to operate closer to goal and undertake significant defensive duties in the 3-5-2 shape.
The ongoing fitness concerns surrounding Leao have forced this recalibration. The Portuguese winger, while potentially in the squad, is not considered ready for a starting berth after recent physical issues. Furthermore, the report notes a perceived tactical disconnect between Leao and Pulisic when they have played together this season, with the two stars often operating independently and even showing visible frustration on the pitch during a recent match.
An alternative option for Allegri is the more traditional target man, Niclas Füllkrug. The German striker formed an effective understanding with Pulisic during the away match at Fiorentina, providing a fixed reference point that seemed to benefit the American's game. However, the report indicates a start for Füllkrug is currently viewed as less likely, partly due to his recent dip in form and his apparent greater comfort in a three-man attack, a system Allegri typically only deploys later in games.
The other senior striker, Santiago Gimenez, is ruled out of a starting role as he continues his recovery from a long-term injury, leaving Pulisic and Nkunku as the frontrunners. For Pulisic, this represents another key moment in his second season at Milan, where he has been a consistent performer since his move from Chelsea. Nkunku, who joined from Paris Saint-Germain, will be looking to seize an opportunity for a rare start and recapture his scoring form from earlier in the campaign. The selection will reveal Allegri's preferred solution to a persistent attacking puzzle as Milan aims to keep pace in the Serie A title race.
