AC Milan’s Quest for a Top-Six Finish Continues
AC Milan, the storied Italian giants, are set to take on Hellas Verona in a crucial Serie A match on Saturday, February 15th. The Rossoneri have been on a promising run of form, having held their local rivals Inter Milan in the league and securing a 3-1 victory over AS Roma in the Copa Italia. However, their unbeaten streak was sadly interrupted by a 0-1 Champions League playoff defeat to Feyenoord on Wednesday. This game at the iconic San Siro stadium is vital for AC Milan as they aim to secure a top-six finish in Serie A, which would guarantee them European football next season. The team’s recent performances, particularly the resilience shown against tough opponents, indicate that they are in a solid position to continue their winning ways.
Hellas Verona Battling for Survival
On the other side, Hellas Verona is engaged in a fierce battle to avoid relegation. Currently sitting in 15th place, they are just three points above the dreaded drop zone. Verona’s season has been marred by inconsistent form and a series of unfortunate injuries, which have taken a toll on their performance. The pressure on the team is palpable, and they will need to pull out all the stops to secure a positive result against AC Milan. Despite their struggle, Verona has shown moments of promise, particularly in their defensive organization and the occasional flashes of brilliance from their forward line. However, the gap in class and form between the two teams is significant, and Verona will need to be at their absolute best to stand a chance.
How to Watch AC Milan vs. Hellas Verona
For fans in the United States, the match will not be available on live TV broadcast. However, streaming options are readily available on Paramount+, a platform that offers a free trial to new subscribers. This ensures that even those who are not regular users can enjoy the game without committing to a long-term subscription. The match is scheduled to kick off at 8:45 p.m. local time in Milan, Italy, which translates to different times across the U.S.:
- Eastern Time: 2:45 p.m.
- Central Time: 1:45 p.m.
- Mountain Time: 12:45 p.m.
- Pacific Time: 11:45 a.m.
Team News and Predicted Lineups
AC Milan’s new-look attack, featuring Rafael Leao, Christian Pulisic, Joao Felix, and Santiago Gimenez, made its debut in the Champions League loss to Feyenoord. While the result wasn’t favorable, the chemistry and potential of this quartet are undeniable. New signings Felix and Gimenez have made promising starts to their Milan careers and are likely to feature prominently once again. However, with the return leg of the Champions League playoff on the horizon, coach Sergio Conceicao may make some tactical changes. Key players such as Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Emerson Royal, and Alessandro Florenzi remain sidelined due to injuries, and center back Fikayo Tomori is suspended after receiving a red card against Empoli.
Predicted AC Milan XI (4-2-3-1, right to left):
- Maignan (GK)
- Walker, Thiaw, Pavlovic, Hernandez
- Fofana, Reijnders
- Pulisic, Felix, Leao
- Gimenez
Injured:
- Loftus-Cheek (muscle)
- Emerson (calf)
- Florenzi (ACL)
Suspended:
- Tomori
Verona’s Injury Woes and Potential Returns
Hellas Verona, under the weight of their relegation battle, will be without several key players for the match against AC Milan. Midfielders Suat Serdar and Abdou Harroui are both out, with Harroui suffering from an ACL injury. Forward Casper Tengstedt and Dailon Rocha Livramento have missed the last couple of matches due to injuries but may return in some capacity against Milan. Verona’s lineup will need to be carefully balanced to maximize their chances of a positive result, and their defensive resilience will be crucial given the strength of AC Milan’s attack.
Predicted Hellas Verona XI (3-4-1-2, right to left):
- Montipo (GK)
- Coppola, Daniliuc, Ghilardi
- Tchatchoua, Bernede, Niasse, Bradaric
- Suslov
- Mosquera, Sarr
Injured:
- Martin Frese (unknown)
- Suat Serdar (muscle)
- Abdou Harroui (ACL)
- Casper Tengstedt (ankle)
- Dailon Rocha Livramento (abdominal muscle)
Match Prediction
AC Milan’s dominance over Hellas Verona in recent history is well-documented. They are on an impressive eight-match winning streak against Verona and have not lost in this fixture in the last 12 matches. Given the current form and the disparity in quality, it is reasonable to expect AC Milan to continue their winning ways. Verona’s defense, already stretched thin due to injuries, will face a daunting task against Milan’s dynamic and cohesive attack. The Rossoneri’s recent performances, especially their ability to control games and capitalize on their chances, suggest that they will be too strong for Verona. A comprehensive victory for AC Milan, perhaps a 3-0 scoreline, seems the most likely outcome.
Serie A Fixtures for the Week
The upcoming week in Serie A is packed with exciting matches that will have a significant impact on the league standings:
- Friday, February 14: Bologna vs. Torino (2:45 p.m. ET)
- Saturday, February 15:
- Atalanta vs. Cagliari (9:00 a.m. ET)
- Lazio vs. Napoli (12:00 p.m. ET)
- AC Milan vs. Hellas Verona (2:45 p.m. ET)
- Sunday, February 16:
- Fiorentina vs. Como (6:30 a.m. ET)
- Udinese vs. Empoli (9:00 a.m. ET)
- Monza vs. Lecce (9:00 a.m. ET)
- Monday, February 17:
- Parma vs. AS Roma (12:00 p.m. ET)
- Juventus vs. Inter Milan (2:45 p.m. ET)
Each match will be crucial for the teams involved, and the weekend’s fixtures will be closely watched as they could shape the final standings of the Serie A season.
