Milan may have lost their 100 per cent record in Serie A, and Simon Kjaer to injury, but their confidence is up as they welcome stuttering Venezia.
The Rossoneri had a rough start in Turin, although getting a 1-1 draw with Juventus and threatening a late winner despite having no centre-forwards has to be a boost for Scudetto ambitions. Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Olivier Giroud remain out of action, with Kjaer joining them on the treatment table, so Pierre Kalulu comes in at right-back. There’s simply no chance to rest the front four due to a lack of alternatives.
Venezia were somewhat unfortunate in a 2-1 home defeat to Spezia, but it has been a dismal campaign other than the 2-1 win away to Empoli in Week 3. The pressure continues to build on coach Paolo Zanetti and his practically new group of players, called from all corners of the globe.
Form Guide: Milan (D W W W) Venezia (L W L L)
Stat fact: The only Venezia victory away to Milan in Serie A was 2-1 in November 1942, along with four draws and seven defeats.
Probable line-ups
Milan (4-2-3-1): Maignan; Kalulu, Tomori, Romagnoli, Theo Hernandez; Tonali, Kessie; Saelemaekers, Brahim Diaz, Leao; Rebic
Suspended: None
Injured: Kjaer, Ibrahimovic, Giroud, Calabria, Krunic, Bakayoko, Messias
On a yellow card: None
Venezia (4-3-3): Maenpaa; Mazzocchi, Caldara, Ceccaroni, Schnegg; Peretz, Vacca, Busio; Aramu, Henry, Johnsen
Suspended: None
Injured: Lezzerini, Fiordilino, Haps, Sigurdsson, Ala-Myillimaki
On a yellow card: None
Watched Venezia vs Spezia last weekend and had to say that their defence is awful. Here’s hoping that Leao, Rebic, Diaz and Saelemakers would have a field day 🙂 I hope we can take early lead and so resting some players in the second half. Theo needs rest badly, he’s not been up to his usual standard thus far.