Stadio Marc’Antonio Bentegodi sets the stage for a ‘David vs Goliath’ Serie A clash between relegation-threatened Hellas Verona and top-four hopefuls Milan. Both teams desperately need points for different reasons as we approach the business end of the campaign.
Verona’s faltering bid to secure top-flight survival took another hit last weekend. Despite a spirited performance, the Gialloblu fell to a 2-1 defeat at Torino, extending their losing run in Serie A to four matches. As a result, they head into the final seven rounds nine points adrift of safety.
Needless to say, any additional slip-up could prove fatal, with interim boss Paolo Sammarco looking to help the club avoid the ignominy of returning to Serie B for the first time since the 2018/19 season. However, that prospect looks far-fetched, as even though their rivals continue to drop points, they cannot find their form.
Speaking of form, Milan’s has recently taken a dramatic downturn. Massimiliano Allegri’s men have gone from outside Scudetto contenders to fighting tooth and nail to secure a top-four spot. Three defeats in their last four outings (W1), including two in a row, have left them only five points clear of fifth-placed Como.
However, with Sassuolo beating the Lariani on Friday, this could be a perfect opportunity for the Rossoneri to re-establish an eight-point cushion in third. Anything other than a victory at the Bentegodi would further complicate the visitors’ quest to return to the Champions League after a season-long absence.
Match Preview
Hellas Verona
Verona must hope for Cremonese and Lecce to falter this weekend to inject some life into their collapsing survival push. More importantly, the Gialloblu must hold up their end of the bargain and snap a four-game losing streak in the league at the venue where they last tasted success in early December.
Indeed, Sammarco’s men have suffered an alarming seven defeats across their last eight home league outings (D1) since a 3-1 win over Atalanta five months ago. Milan’s visit doesn’t bode well, given that Verona have lost all ten Serie A meetings since the start of 2021, including a thumping 3-0 defeat in December’s reverse fixture.
Moreover, Verona failed to get on the scoresheet in their last three matches against Milan, further highlighting the size of the task awaiting them this weekend. As if that’s not concerning enough, it’s been almost ten years since Verona last claimed a home league win against this opposition, courtesy of a 3-0 win in December 2017.
Milan
Milan have won six consecutive away clashes against Verona since that dreadful defeat. Against this backdrop, they have lost their last two Serie A games outside San Siro via an identical 1-0 scoreline, with Napoli and Lazio getting the better of them. However, the most painful result of all came on their home turf last weekend, as Udinese humbled them 3-0.
As a result of that stomach-wrenching defeat, Milan could lose three successive league matches without scoring for the first time since April 1967. Still, the visitors can draw confidence from their decent traveling record and the fact that they’re the only side in the pre-round top seven to take more points on the road than on home soil.
Further confidence stems from Milan’s imperious away record against sides from the bottom half of the table. Indeed, they’ve picked up five wins in seven such contests this season (D2). That’s part of the reason why they head into proceedings as clear-cut favorites to secure all three points and return to winning ways.
Team News
Apart from long-term absentee Suat Serdar, Verona should have the remainder of the squad fit for this ‘make or break’ fixture. However, Armel Bella-Kotchap and Sandi Lovric are both doubtful, though Tomas Suslov returns from suspension.
On the other hand, Milan boss Allegri has his entire squad at his disposal. After his attempt to switch formation to a 4-2-3-1 failed miserably last weekend, the experienced manager should revert to his trademark 3-5-2 setup, with Christian Pulisic and under-fire Rafael Leao expected to lead the line.
Hellas Verona vs Milan Potential Starting Lineups
Hellas Verona (3-5-2): Montipo; Edmundsson, Nelsson, Frese; Oyegoke, Akpa Akpro, Gagliardini, Bernede, Belghali; Bowie, Orban.
Milan (3-5-2): Maignan; Tomori, Gabbia, Pavlovic; Athekame, Fofana, Modric, Rabiot, Bartesaghi; Pulisic, Leao.
Hellas Verona vs Milan Prediction
Verona’s disastrous home record this season must be music to Milan’s ears, with the Rossoneri looking to overcome a rough patch and build momentum ahead of the final stretch. Though the hosts won’t go down without a fight, even an ailing Milan side should have enough quality to put all three points on the board.
Prediction: Milan to Win
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