Allegri assistant explains AC Milan choices and Pulisic condition

Originally posted on Football Italia | By Susy Campanale | Last updated Dec 8, 2025 2:31 PM ET

Max Allegri sits out a touchline ban, so his AC Milan assistant manager Marco Landucci explains Christian Pulisic’s condition and how they are facing Torino tonight.

It kicks off at the Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino at 19.45 GMT.

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens on the Liveblog.

The pressure is on the Rossoneri, who know only a victory here would suffice to stay joint top of the table with Napoli following other results over the weekend.

They are fresh off their first competitive defeat since the opening weekend, crashing out of the Coppa Italia thanks to a 1-0 defeat at Lazio on Thursday.

Allegri will not be on the AC Milan bench

“Our boss isn’t here, I am obviously a lot happier when he is with us,” Landucci told Sky Sport Italia.

“The whole staff will try to fill in as best we can, we’ll see how it goes. This is a very difficult match, I came here many times and they have always been tough slogs, so we expect the same this evening.”

Milan have an unusually poor record in this fixture, as since the 7-0 victory in May 2021, they managed only one draw and three consecutive defeats away to Torino.

ITALY – SEPTEMBER 23: Christian Pulisic of AC Milan during the Coppa Italia Frecciarossa Round of 16 match between AC Milan and US Lecce at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on September 23, 2025 in Italy. (Photo by Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images)

Pulisic was suffering from flu symptoms, but made the trip to Turin this afternoon and is on the bench for a potential emergency.

“If he is on the bench, it means he is available,” noted the assistant manager.

Meanwhile, Christopher Nkunku gets a rare start upfront with Rafael Leao.

“He is a player we have a lot of faith in, he did very well against Lazio in Serie A, and I am sure he’ll do very well this evening too.”

Considering the past that Allegri and his assistant had at Juventus, is facing Torino like a derby?

“No, it’s a Milan match. We all want to get points, it all depends on the attitude we have on the field,” concluded Landucci.

This article first appeared on Football Italia and was syndicated with permission.

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