The Archive

September 2024

Serie A preview: Fonseca desperate to spark improvement in AC Milan’s fortunes
17.9 || webmaster

The phrase ‘must-win game’ is an overused cliche in professional football, but it is one which undoubtedly applies to AC Milan this weekend.

The Rossoneri head into the game against Venezia 14th in Serie A after picking up just two points from three games under new manager Paolo Fonseca.

Their performances have sparked speculation about Fonseca’s future, with some prominent media outlets suggesting he cannot afford any more mistakes.

Online bookmakers believe he will get some respite this weekend, with Milan the overwhelming favourites to pick up three points at the San Siro.

The sportsbook linked to the betpanda crypto casino app rates them as 3/10 shots to record a victory and they should be a banker bet to get the job done.

AC Milan vs Venezia team news

Ismael Bennacer suffered an injury in training for Algeria and is unlikely to be risked given that Milan have several big games on the horizon.

Alvaro Morata and Malick Thiaw are pushing to start, but Yunus Musah and Christian Pulisic could be benched following their international duty with United States.

Tammy Abraham will be hoping to get the nod ahead of Morata in attack, while Theo Hernandez is expected to start the game at left-back.

Venezia’s Bjarki Steinn Bjarkason is sidelined with a muscle injury and is not expected to return to action until the end of September.

AC Milan vs Venezia preview

The overriding narrative heading into the game surrounds Fonseca, with his lack of success at previous clubs making him an unpopular choice with the fans.

Hopes were high after pre-season victories over Manchester City, Real Madrid and Barcelona, but the mood around the club has quickly gone south since then.

They rescued a 2-2 draw at home to Torino in their season opener, before suffering a humiliating 2-1 defeat at newly-promoted Parma.

Milan’s subsequent 2-2 draw at Lazio would ordinarily not be viewed as a bad result, although the manner of the performance left a lot to be desired.

One of Fonesca’s most pressing matters will be to fix a shaky defensive unit which has conceded six goals in their first three league games.

La Gazzetta dello Sport claims Fonseca will ditch the team’s high line in favour of defending deeper, which should prevent them from being caught napping at the back.

Fonseca was eager to adopt this progressive style of play, but Milan do not have the players who can successfully implement his tactics.

While a more pragmatic approach goes against Fonseca’s natural instincts, he cannot afford to take any risks against a team Milan are expected to beat comfortably.

Fonseca will also be hoping his players display a little more harmony than they showed at Lazio, with Rafael Leao and Hernandez particularly culpable.

Their failure to gather around the manager and listen to instructions during a drinks break was not a good look for a team with designs on winning the Serie A title.

While Fonseca’s decision to omit Leao and Hernandez from his starting XI raised plenty of eyebrows, their subsequent lack of respect raised justifiable questions about their temperament.

AC Milan vs Venezia prediction

Milan did the double over Venezia the last time they were in the top flight and they are strongly fancied to get their season back on track this weekend.

Venezia only goal this season came in a 3-1 defeat at Lazio and they lack the firepower to cause Milan’s shaky defence too many problems.

AC Milan 3-0 Venezia.