Why is Pulisic not playing for AC Milan vs. Bologna today?

AC Milan won’t have leading scorer Christian Pulisic when it travels to face Bologna on Tuesday, Feb. 3.

The American star did not make the trip due to bursitis, an inflammation of fluid-filled sacs near joints. The issue is reportedly near Pulisic’s hip.

Pulisic’s injury doesn’t appear to be serious. In his pregame press conference on Monday, Feb. 2, AC Milan coach Max Allegri said he was still hopeful the 27-year-old could travel.

“If he’s better today, we’ll take him,’ Allegri said.

But the 27-year-old has not recovered in time, continuing a difficult run that has been filled with minor injuries.

Pulisic suffered a hamstring tear in October with the U.S. men’s national team. After recovering, he returned with a bang by scoring the only goal in a 1-0 win over arch-rival Inter on Nov. 23.

But Pulisic missed Milan’s next game against Lazio due to a hamstring issue. In January, Allegri said that the American’s hamstring was still ‘bothering him from time to time.’

Though Pulisic has mostly been available for Milan, Allegri appears to be managing his minutes carefully. The Pennsylvania native has only managed to start three of the Rossoneri‘s last six league matches.

Pulisic is still Milan’s leading scorer with 10 goals in all competitions, but he hasn’t scored or assisted a goal yet in 2026.

The match at Bologna is massive for Milan’s title hopes. Allegri’s men enter the match in second place, trailing Inter by eight points with a game in hand. Failure to win would hand a huge advantage to Milan’s city rival.