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AC Milan manager Paulo Fonseca thanks USMNT's Mauricio Pochettino for releasing Christian Pulisic early from camp

Serie A

AC Milan

Genoa

<p>Milan manager Paulo Fonseca has expressed gratitude towards USMNT boss Mauricio Pochettino over releasing Christian Pulisic from their October camp early, so that he could return to Italy sooner than expected.</p><p>Pulisic played 67 minutes in a <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-us/lists/usmnt-player-ratings-yunus-musah-ricardo-pepi-panama/blt58c7b1415fa2e4c3" target="_self">2-0 win over Panama</a>, but departed shortly thereafter due to worries over his workload of late.</p><p>“Let me thank Pochettino for releasing the player for the second game," Fonseca said at a press conference on Friday. "It wasn’t a competitive match, and he was sensible enough to make him rest. I liked his attitude."</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>Ahead of the Panama match, Pochettino noted that he was worried about Pulisic's minutes of late, which ultimately led to his early release.</p><p>"He's playing every single game, every single minute," Pochettino said. "That is also a thing that we are a little bit worried [about]. Sometimes we need to protect [him]. We'll see, because he arrived [at camp] a little bit tired."</p><p>Despite being grateful for the early release, though, Fonseca did not agree with Pochettino's assessment that Pulisic may be being over-utilized at the moment.</p><p>"It’s the start of the season. If he’s tired now, what are we going to think after 20 games?" the Milan coach said. "Christian is in a great moment. He’s probably the most consistent player at the start of the season. It makes no sense to talk about fatigue at this point of the season.”</p><p>Pulisic's early exit from USMNT camp has drawn criticism from U.S. legends, including <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-us/lists/load-management-kiss-ass-christian-pulisic-criticised-usmnt-legend-alexi-lalas-leave-mauricio-pochettino-squad-ac-milan-mexico/bltea7f107bb05f583f" target="_self">Alexi Lalas</a> and <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-us/lists/usmnt-legend-tim-howard-christian-pulisic-mexico-match-load-management-ac-milan/bltb2cde57c813ae5e0" target="_self">Tim Howard.</a> Former Premier League star Jamie Carragher <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-us/lists/america-is-completely-different-space-jamie-carragher-speaks-usmnt-slams-man-city-over-legal-case-and-questions-maurico-pochettino-decision-making-despite-great-appointment/blt4855a9f1f2827c62" target="_self">also questioned the decision. </a></p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>Pulisic is Milan's leading scorer this campaign, with six goals and two assists in nine matches across all competitions. He sits third in the race for the Serie A Golden Boot with five.</p>

DID YOU KNOW?

<p>The <em>Rossoneri</em> are back in action Saturday when they host Udinese at the San Siro in a regular season match. Pulisic will be looking to score in his fifth-straight Serie A match.</p>

WHAT NEXT FOR PULISIC?

AC Milan manager Paulo Fonseca thanks USMNT's Mauricio Pochettino for releasing Christian Pulisic early from camp | Goal.com US

USMNT star Christian Pulisic was released from national team duty ahead of their Mexico match, and his Milan manager is thankful for it.