Serie A PREVIEW | Milan v Verona

After settling for a point in their Champions League opener against Newcastle United, Milan return to the San Siro for the third time in eight days to get their stride going when they face Verona tomorrow. 

Milan fans were left gutted with the 0-0 stalemate in their Champions League opening clash versus the Magpies on Tuesday. Coming on the back of a 5-1 humiliating defeat to their neighbourhood rivals Inter last weekend, the Rossoneri would have wanted to get back to winning ways but couldn’t despite a good performance.

Pressure is mounting on Stefano Pioli as his side are yet to record a victory since the return of club football from the international break. A thick run of fixtures is approaching fast on Milan’s calendar with Lazio and Cagliari on the near horizon with a much-anticipated clash against Borussia Dortmund at the start of October. 

Meanwhile, Verona won’t expect much from this fixture as they have lost all of the last five games against Milan. The Gialloblu narrowly escaped last season, surviving only on goal difference while being level on points with relegated Spezia. 

Marco Baroni’s side have recorded victories against Empoli and Roma in the opening fixtures of this new campaign and also progressed to the next round of the Coppa Italia after defeating Ascoli 3-1. The 3-1 loss against Sassuolo pegged back their momentum but Verona upheld their composure in the goalless stalemate with Bologna in their previous game.

Results from their last five matches across all competitions:

Milan:

D L W W W

Verona:

D L W W W

Team News

Stefano Pioli will miss goalkeeper Mike Maignan with a thigh injury. Marco Sportiello is set to start the game.

Ismael Bennacer and Pierre Kalulu are set to remain out of the match with long-term injuries. 

Noah Okafor and Luka Jovic might get a nod to start the game due to the upcoming run of fixtures.

As for Verona, Jayden Braaf, Josh Doig and Thomas Henry will remain out with long-term injuries. 

Milan Djuric and Federico Bonazzoli are set to start the game.

Predicted XIs

Milan (4-3-3): Sportiello; Calabria, Tomori, Kjaer, Hernandez; Musah, Krunic, Reijnders; Pulisic, Giroud, Leao

Verona (3-4-2-1): Montipo; Dawidowicz, Hien, Magnani; Faraoni, Hongla, Duda, Lazovic; Mboula, Ngonge; Djuric

Trambak Bhattacherjee | GIFN