Why are AC Milan and USMNT star Christian Pulisic not playing this weekend in Serie A?

The upcoming Serie A weekend schedule presents an unusual sight for calcio enthusiasts: only nine fixtures are slated to take place, a departure from the customary ten. This reduced slate means a significant absence from the Italian top flight, as fans will not see AC Milan, nor their in-form American sensation Christian Pulisic, in action. The reason for their unexpected break from league duties lies in their involvement in another prestigious competition: the Supercoppa Italiana.

AC Milan, having secured their place in the Supercoppa Italiana, are currently in Saudi Arabia preparing for the tournament's semi-final clash. The Supercoppa, which traditionally pits the Serie A champions against the Coppa Italia winners, has in recent seasons expanded to a four-team format, including the league and cup runners-up. This prestigious mid-season competition requires the participating clubs to postpone their scheduled league matches, thus creating the gap in this weekend's Serie A calendar. For Stefano Pioli's side, this means a temporary diversion from their pursuit of league glory, as they focus on adding another piece of silverware to their trophy cabinet.