AC Milan’s Quest for Redemption: The Importance of a Win
After a disappointing loss in the Champions League, AC Milan is gearing up for a crucial Serie A match against Hellas Verona. The Rossoneri are under pressure to bounce back and secure a victory to keep their season on track. While the situation is concerning, it is not yet a meltdown, but a strong performance is essential to restore confidence and momentum. The match is scheduled for Saturday, February 15, with a kickoff at 20:45 CET at the San Siro, and Francesco Fourneau will officiate, assisted by VAR Francesco Meraviglia.
Team News and Formation
AC Milan’s injury update brings some positive news. Warren Bondo has returned to training and will be available for selection, adding depth to the squad. However, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Alessandro Florenzi, and Emerson Royal remain sidelined due to their injuries. Despite these absences, the addition of Kyle Walker and Alex Jimenez provides adequate cover at right-back. Yunus Musah, who was suspended against Feyenoord, is back in the lineup, a crucial return given the midfield struggles. Fikayo Tomori, on the other hand, will miss the game due to a one-game suspension.
Manager Sergio Conceicao will have a near-full squad to choose from, and the pressure is on him to get the lineup right. Mike Maignan retains his place in goal, with the defense comprising Walker, Malick Thiaw, Strahinja Pavlovic, and Theo Hernandez. Youssouf Fofana and Tijjani Reijnders will start in midfield, while the attack will feature Yunus Musah on the wing alongside Joao Felix and Christian Pulisic. Santiago Gimenez will lead the line, and there is a possibility of tactical adjustments depending on the game’s flow.
Hellas Verona: Struggling for Survival
Under the guidance of Paolo Zanetti, Hellas Verona has had a challenging season, currently fighting at the bottom of the Serie A table. The team has managed to secure only one win and one draw in their last three games, which has kept them from dropping to the relegation zone. However, their defensive record is concerning, having conceded 53 goals, the most in the league. With a goal difference of -27, Verona’s season can be described as dire. Despite their struggles, they have managed to win seven games, which is more than some of their direct competitors, but the lack of draws and consistency in scoring goals remains a significant issue.
For the match against Milan, Zanetti is expected to field a 3-5-2 formation. Montipo should start in goal, with Daniliuc, Coppola, and Dawidowicz forming the back line. Tchatchoua and Bradaric will operate as wing-backs, while the midfield will consist of Niasse, Duda, and Suslov. Mosquera and Sarr will pose threats in attack, despite their scoring difficulties. Zanetti acknowledged the challenges his team faces and emphasized the need for a strong performance to capitalize on Milan’s recent setbacks.
Head-to-Head: Milan’s Dominance
The upcoming clash marks the 80th meeting between AC Milan and Hellas Verona across all competitions. Milan has a significant advantage in this rivalry, with 37 wins, 28 draws, and 14 defeats. The Rossoneri are on an eight-game winning streak against Verona, a testament to their dominance. In the most recent encounters, Milan secured a 1-0 victory at San Siro in the 2023-24 season, with Rafael Leao scoring the only goal, and another 1-0 win in the reverse fixture this season, courtesy of a clinical finish by Tijjani Reijnders set up by Youssouf Fofana.
Key Facts and Stats
- Milan has won each of their last eight Serie A matches against Hellas Verona, with only a few opponents in their history (Chievo, Novara, Pescara, and Siena) having a longer winning streak against them.
- Hellas Verona has never won away against Milan in Serie A, with 13 draws and 19 losses in 32 matches.
- Verona has scored 66 goals against Milan in Serie A, a significant number, second only to their tally against Fiorentina and Lazio.
- Milan has a strong record against bottom-half teams, winning 11 of their last 15 Serie A matches against such opponents.
- Hellas Verona has shown some improvement in away games, remaining unbeaten in four of their last five, but their defensive record remains a critical concern.
Prediction: A Must-Win Game for Milan
Saturday’s match is a must-win for AC Milan, and a strong performance is essential to restore confidence and momentum. The pressure is on for key players like Yunus Musah and Theo Hernandez to step up and deliver. Hellas Verona, while struggling, has shown flashes of potential, particularly in their recent away form. However, Milan’s dominance in head-to-head encounters and the need to respond to recent setbacks suggest a favorable outcome. A dominant performance from the Rossoneri could set the tone for the rest of the season. Prediction: Milan 2-0 Verona.
