21 September 2021, 14:17 | 28 August 2021, 15:29
The Italian Serie A TIM fixture, AC Milan vs. Venezia FC, kicks off at 19:45 (GMT+1) on Wednesday, September 22 at the 75,923-capacity stadium, San Siro.
Preview Milan Serie A, Sep 22, 2021
Preview AC Milan returns after Sunday's 1-1 draw against Juventus in Turin. Milan came into the game with a 100%-win record while Juve were rooted to the bottom end of the table. But a tricky Allegri played down the importance of the match in a bid to take the pressure off his squad. Milan had started on the front foot in an attempt to get the early goal, but Juventus broke off with the counter, leaving Alvaro Morata racing away with Theo Hernandez at his heels. A fantastic finish from the Spaniard put Juventus in front in the 4th minute. Milan soaked up the pressure as Juve mounted one attack after another, leaving Maignan as the busier goalkeeper on the pitch. Onlookers had written Milan off before Tonali's corner kick picked out Ante Rebic (76') for the leveler. The goal scorer would have put Milan in front but fired above the crossbar and into the crowd. Minutes later, Kalulu forced a save out of Szczęsny. Milan are unbeaten in four games: WWWD and in 2nd place with 10 points picked up from 3W, 1D, & 0L. Speaking in an interview after the draw against Juventus, the Milan boss, Stefano Pioli, expects challenging times ahead for his squad. However, the 55-year-old expects three points against what appears to be a technically weaker side at the lower end of the table. Following Zlatan's absence (Achilles' irritation) in the game against Liverpool and also against Juventus, coupled with Giroud's unavailability (Lumbago), Pioli deployed Ante Rebic in the center-forward position. He is expected to do so again on Wednesday, with the Croatian at the top of the 4—2—3—1 shape. Simon Kjaer picked up an injury in the game against Juventus and is ruled out for this game. Romagnoli playing alongside Tomori at the heart of the defense is expected. The summer signing, Junior Messias, remains unfit while Davide Calabria is in doubt with a muscle injury. According to the latest reports, several players are expected back in the squad before the UEFA Champions League fixture against Atletico Madrid on the 28th of this month.
Preview Venezia Serie A, Sep 22, 2021
Preview Venezia picked up a 2-1 defeat to Spezia on Sunday at the Pier Luigi Penzo Stadium. Pietro Ceccaroni (59') scored Venezia's only goal a minute to the hour mark. The club sits in 17th place with only three points after four games: 1W, 0D & 3L (LLWL). Manager Paolo Zanetti would like to see his side frustrate Milan with the aim of leaving the San Siro with at least a point. He could line up the 4—3—3 formation with Thomas Henry playing through the middle of attack, alongside David Okereke and Johnsen.