Stefano Pioli Speaks Out After Pulisic Receives Vile Death Threats

AC Milan manager, Stefano Pioli has backed Christian Pulisic after the United States international received death threats from Lazio fans.

Lazio fans threw a lot of insults and threats at the American after he was involved in two of the three red cards his team received during Friday’s 1-0 victory against Milan in Serie A at the Stadio Olimpico. Pioli provided a quick statement on the matter when questioned on Wednesday on the abuse.

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“Pulisic does not need to be defended. His story speaks for itself. Social media has become a place for insults and rudeness and Pulisic has all our support,” Pioli told reporters ahead of his team’s Europa League clash against Slavia Prague.

The Rossoneri hope to make it past the Czech club and into the quarter-finals of the Europa League for the first time. The last time they progressed beyond the last 16 of Europe’s second-tier competition was in 2001-02, when they reached the final four of the UEFA Cup.

Still, Pioli believes his team can go on to claim the title, saying: “You have to think you can win this cup, then it’s clear that in addition to thinking that, you need to demonstrate skills. The team is doing well but now there’s a complex obstacle to face. We certainly all have a chance of doing well.”

Since joining San Siro from Chelsea last summer, Pulisic, 25, has eight goals and seven assists across all competitions. He’ll be hoping to put the last weekend’s abuse behind him by leading his team to a first-leg triumph over Slavia.