AC Milan arrive at a telling moment in their early season, carrying seven points from three games but searching for a more convincing identity under Ruben Amorim. The 1-1 draw at Juventus last weekend was a fair result, as Amorim himself acknowledged, but the manner of it exposed real problems. Without Christian Pulisic, who has not played a single minute this season, the team has lacked a creative spark in the attacking third. Adrien Rabiot pushed forward against Juventus without conviction, and only the impact of Alphadjo Cisse off the bench offered any genuine threat. The good news is that Pulisic is now close to a return. Amorim confirmed in his pre-match press conference that the American will be involved against Lazio, a significant boost for a side that relied heavily on him before his injury. Samuel Chukwueze has been a positive story, rediscovering form after his loan spell at Fulham and earning a starting place on the left of midfield. The challenge on Saturday is a serious one. Lazio sit top of Serie A with a perfect nine points under Rino Gattuso, and a win for Milan would take them level. Amorim has played down the table talk, insisting the priority is improving the team's play rather than chasing early positions. With a Europa League debut against Benfica following just four days later, how Milan manage this week will say a great deal about where Amorim's project is heading.