Serie A | Preview:AC Milan vs Venezia
FIy999 2024/09/14 06:24
Still seeking their first win of the new Serie A season, AC Milan will be under pressure to produce three points on Saturday, when they welcome Venezia to San Siro.
preview:
With speculation already growing as to his possible successor - former boss Max Allegri and Thomas Tuchel apparently among the leading candidates - Milan's new coach Paulo Fonseca will desperate to secure a first competitive win on Saturday evening.
His time in the hotseat at San Siro has certainly failed to meet expectations, as after drawing with Torino on Serie A's opening matchday - having trailed by two goals until the 89th minute - the Rossoneri were then beaten by newly promoted Parma.
After letting a lead slip against Lazio last time out, only a stunning breakaway goal created by Tammy Abraham and goalscorer Rafael Leao - the latter of whom had been dramatically dropped alongside fellow star Theo Hernandez - saw Milan avoid defeat in the capital.
Concerns certainly remain about their brittle back four, and stretching back to the end of Stefano Pioli's reign, the Lombardy club have conceded at least two goals in each of their last five matches, at an ugly average of 2.4 per game.
Should they fall short again this weekend, the Rossoneri would fail to win any of their first four Serie A fixtures for only the second time in 65 years - and the first time this century.
Ahead of hosting Liverpool in the Champions League next week, a more assured performance is required at San Siro, where Milan have lost just one of their 13 previous home games against Venezia in Serie A.
That sole away win for the Venetians was way back in 1942, while their last league victory over Milan anywhere came some 24 years ago.
Yet to find their feet since gaining promotion through the Serie B playoffs, Venezia have taken just one point from three top-flight fixtures so far, in addition to crashing out of the Coppa Italia.
Beaten by their old boss last time out, the Lagunari lost to a late goal against Paolo Vanoli's Torino - again failing to find the net.
Magnus Andersen actually put Venezia ahead at the start of their first-day clash with Lazio, which they ultimately lost 3-1, but since then no more goals have been produced by the ailing Arancioneroverdi.
Head coach Eusebio Di Francesco has a tough task on his hands to turn things around after a tough summer in the transfer market, but Milan's leaky defence may at least help his side end their worrying goal drought.
Player injuries:
AC Milan
Player’s reason for absence
42 (Defender) Florenzi
57 (Goalkeeper) Sportiello
4 (Midfielder) Bennasa
28 (Central Defender) Malik Jiafu
Venice
19 (Left winger) Bajaj Biacasson
possible starting lineup:
-
Venezia
-
AC Milan
All comments
No comments yet
Try leaving your comments
Reply
Like
Fav
Share