Pioli explains why he picked Chukwueze over Pulisic: 'I spoke to Christian yesterday'

Stefano Pioli has explained his decision to start Samuel Chukwueze over Christian Pulisic on the right wing in AC Milan’s game against Fiorentina tonight.

Milan can extend their lead above Juventus to six points with a victory against Fiorentina, given that the Bianconeri dropped points earlier in the evening with a last-minute defeat to Lazio at the Stadio Olimpico.

The feeling is that with each passing week the Rossoneri are edging towards securing Champions League qualification, but sadly Inter’s remarkable form has meant that there was never really a Scudetto battle.

In terms of selection news, Pioli chose Chukwueze to be the right winger over Pulisic, but it must be remembered that the latter played a lot with the USA over the international break and returned late after winning the CONCACAF Nations League for a third time.

Pioli spoke to Sky moments before kick-off at the Stadio Artemio Franchi, with his comments transcribed by MilanNews.

Tonight you face an emotional game…

“Always a special match for me, tonight there will be many things in the pre-match and then there will be the football match.”

There is no Theo, and Pulisic is on the bench…

“I spoke to Christian yesterday, he hadn’t fully recovered yet and he told me that he preferred to play a part of the match. Chukwueze is working well, he had a bit of difficulty fitting in, but he’s fine, he’s a quality player.”

What do you expect from Fiorentina?

“Fiorentina plays well, they are very aggressive and very intense. We too have to bring all our qualities to the pitch.”