Christian Pulisic starts on the bench for Milan in an away game at Sassuolo as coach Stefano Pioli wants to rest the American star ahead of next week’s game against Roma.

Samuel Chukwueze replaces Pulisic in Milan’s line-up for an away game against Sassuolo on Sunday.

Pulisic, a former Chelsea winger, is not injured or suspended, but Pioli has decided to rest him ahead of next week’s Europa League quarter-final decider against Roma at the Stadio Olimpico.

Milan suffered a 1-0 home loss in the first leg against the Giallorossi this past Thursday and Pioli wants a fully refreshed Pulisic in Rome next week.

There are more rotations for the Rossoneri in Reggio Emilia as Olivier Giroud and Fikayo Tomori also start on the bench, while Mike Maignan has suffered a slight muscle injury and is replaced by Marco Sportiello in goal.

Pioli seems to have prioritised the upcoming European match as his Milan side sit 2nd in the Serie A table and are pretty much certain to secure a top-four finish, being 13 points above 5th-placed Roma.

You can follow Sassuolo-Milan and Serie A’s Sunday live action on the FOOTBALL ITALIA LIVEBLOG.

More must-reads:

TODAY'S BEST
Pacers ride historic shooting performance to Game 7 blowout of Knicks
Timberwolves mount incredible second-half comeback to stun Nuggets in Game 7
Xander Schauffele proves doubters wrong with historic win at 2024 PGA Championship
Four things we learned from Joey Logano's All-Star Race win at North Wilkesboro
Phil Foden lifts Manchester City to fourth consecutive English Premier League title
Watch: Aaron Judge blasts 13th home run in Yankees' seventh straight win
Canucks won't have linchpin forward for Game 7 vs. Oilers
Jags reportedly mulling extension for Trevor Lawrence, but is that the right choice?
Gordon Hayward calls role with Thunder 'frustrating'
Mets reliever Edwin Diaz showing short shelf life of closers
Three offseason moves the 49ers must make
Watch: NASCAR drivers exchange punches after crash in All-Star Race
Knicks star offers passionate defense of HC Tom Thibodeau after Game 7 loss
Knicks' Jalen Brunson suffers serious injury in Game 7 vs. Pacers
Dodgers add recently acquired left-hander to active roster
Report: 2023 No. 7 pick expected to terminate KHL contract, join Flyers
Mavericks advance to Western Conference Finals aided by controversial call late
Connor McDavid, Oilers hammer Canucks to force Game 7
Tyson Fury-Oleksandr Usyk epic increases excitement for potential rematch
Seize the Grey wins in muddy Preakness

Want more sports news?

Join the hundreds of thousands of fans who start their day with Yardbarker's Morning Bark, the best newsletter in sports.