AC Milan are back in Serie A after the international break and their first test will be against a Udinese side who are actually higher up in the table and have had a surprisingly good start to the season.

While the importance of Theo Hernandez and Rafael Leao is often mentioned in these key figures, the most important news in this game is the inclusion of head coach Paulo Fonseca plans four changeswith only the midfield double pivot remaining a constant.

One of the other constants is Christian Pulisicwho has scored in four consecutive games in the “top five” of the European leagues. Only five Milan players have scored in five consecutive Serie A games in the Three Points for a Win era: Olivier Giroud, Zlatan Ibrahimovic (twice), Filippo Inzaghi, Andriy Shevchenko (twice) and George Weah.

The US winger has returned early from the national team and is expected to play centrally, meaning he will face opposition Jesper KarlstromUdinese’s summer signing who takes on the role of defensive midfielder. The Swedish international (29) has a lot of experience and plays an important role in the build-up of the game, giving Pulisic a double task.

The main threat to the Zebrette is undoubtedly Lorenzo Luccaespecially since Florian Thauvin is absent. The 6ft 2in Italian striker has scored five goals in all competitions this season, having scored nine goals on loan from Pisa last season, and he looks a real challenge because he is technically strong for his size.

The centre-back pairing for Milan is expected to include: Malick Thiaw next to Fikayo Tomori. The German has not been in the starting lineup since the first round of the season against Turin due to injury and then fell out of favor. Therefore, getting demoted again could be a difficult task against such a difficult opponent.

This feels like an important game Samuel Chukwuezewho, given Pulisic’s absurd form, will have a rare start in his preferred position on the right wing. The Nigerian has overcome a small physical problem he had on international duty and, according to rumors, will have to show what he can do from the first minute Management’s patience is wearing thin.

His opponent will be Lautaro – no, not him, but his compatriot Lautaro Giannetti who will play as a left central defender for Udinese. The 30-year-old only played seven games last season but has been in the squad more often this year so could be a target.

Most Milan fans got this impression when moving into midfield Youssouf Fofana begins to show exactly why the directors pursued him so relentlessly for so long. He is the balance player in the middle of the park and his performance has improved from game to game.

The Frenchman was on the bench in both of Bleus’ games at half-time, so he is likely to be relatively fresh and his job will be to keep an eye on the creative Udinese midfielder Jürgen Ekkelenkamp who they signed from Royal Antwerp for €5.5 million this summer and who scored a goal on his Coppa Italia debut.

Another player who will have a rare chance to shine is Filippo Terraccianowho currently appears to have been selected as a replacement for the suspended Theo Hernandez instead of Alex Jimenez. He started the Lazio game in round three but didn’t make much of a mark, and with Theo also out for next weekend’s game in Bologna, the Italian will have to prove he’s worth his place.

The former Verona man could perhaps do with silencing some of the rumors Milan is looking for a new deputy for Theo also, and his battle will be against right-back Kingsley Ehizibue. The 29-year-old is now entering his third season at Udinese and has one assist to his name this season, although his pace and physicality have the potential to cause problems.