Ex-Chelsea star receives death threats after ill-tempered match

AC Milan winger Christian Pulisic has received a deluge of death threats and abuse on social media following a fiery 1-0 victory at Lazio in Serie A on Friday.

Lazio finished the match with eight men, and Pulisic was involved in two of the three dismissals.

Pulisic posted photos on Instagram of himself and the Milan team celebrating after the game and was inundated with abusive comments.

There were also plenty of messages of support for the American, including from Milan teammate Theo Hernández, who wrote, “Puliiiii I am your security.”

Luca Pellegrini was sent off in the 67th minute following two yellow cards in quick succession — each for a foul on Pulisic — and Matteo Guendouzi was issued a straight red in stoppage time for reacting badly to a foul by the United States standout, who was also booked in the incident.

Lazio defender Adam Marusic was sent off in stoppage time.

Pulisic joined Milan from Chelsea in the offseason hoping to revive a flagging club career. He has seven goals and provided six assists in 25 league matches.

Former Chelsea boss agrees terms to manage AC Milan

There are rumours that Antonio Conte has already agreed terms with Milan for 2024-25, but according to Tuttosport newspaper, Thiago Motta remains in the race provided that Stefano Pioli leaves in the summer.

Telelombardia reported earlier this week that Conte had agreed personal terms with Milan for next season, but other Italian sources in Italy insist the race for the Rossoneri job is open and still includes current coach Pioli.

Tuttosport newspaper, via Football Italia, claims that it would be ‘surprising’ to see the Parma-born coach remain in charge of the Diavoli next season, but with a contract expiring in June 2025, Pioli could be confirmed on the Rossoneri bench if he gets convincing results in the second part of the campaign.

However, Conte and Motta are the leading candidates to replace Pioli if he does leave.

Conte is ‘appreciated’ by many club directors but is known to be very demanding regarding transfers, and his salary is also pretty high.

Motta, on the other hand, is an exciting emerging coach with a lower salary and a solid bond with one of Milan’s primary targets for next season, Joshua Zirkzee.

The ex-Italy international has also been monitored by his former club Barcelona and his contract with Bologna runs out this coming June.