With their Serie A title hopes almost over before half-time, AC Milan hope to strengthen their pursuit of a top four spot during their visit Hellas Verona on Friday evening.

While Milan collapsed Center table After a series of one win in five games, Verona ended a series of four consecutive defeats with a win last time out.

Game preview

© Imago

With Milan now 11 points behind arch-rivals Inter Milan and 13 points behind Serie A leaders Atalanta BC, Milan’s Scudetto hopes will certainly have to be put on hold for another year, as they were left behind last week after their dismal goalless draw against Genoa ended up in eighth place the ranking list.

Paulo FonsecaThe Roma side have won just six of their first 15 league games, marking the club’s worst record at this point since 2019, and speculation is growing over the former Roma coach’s long-term future.

Unable to find the right balance between attack and defense, his team tends to either open up and get caught on the counter-attack, or close up shop and earn a draw – the introduction of two fresh-faced teenagers into the starting XI helped against that Grifone hardly makes any difference.

After conceding two goals in their first three Serie A games, the Rossoneri have since kept clean sheets in seven of their next 12 games – only Napoli managed more in that period – but they still proved too inconsistent to keep up with the four to be able to keep up with the best Italians.

In contrast to their struggling league formation, Milan recently recorded their fourth straight Champions League win after reaching the quarter-finals of the Coppa Italia, so Fonseca’s salvation could only come in knockout competitions.

As winners of all last seven top league games with Verona – and unbeaten in the last eleven games – nothing other than a win is enough at the Stadio Bentegodi.

© Imago

Having beaten their two-city counterparts twice in games of huge importance for the Rossoneri, Friday’s hosts were known to Milan fans as “Fatales Verona” – the Bentegodi was almost a venue to be feared.

However, Hellas have lost all of the clubs’ last five meetings in Verona in recent memory, while their manager’s position is currently under even more scrutiny than Fonseca’s.

After his side’s 12th league or cup defeat of the season – a 4-1 loss to former club Empoli – Paolo Zanetti Surprisingly, he was granted a stay of execution and has since bought himself more time with a 3-2 away win against fellow strugglers Parma.

Verona have logged the most minutes in Serie A this season (639, including 356 at home – another league high), but they actually struck first at the Stadio Tardini, where Diego CoppolaThe early goal gave them the lead.

While this success keeps the Gialloblu just out the relegation zoneThere are still a few issues that need to be sorted out if they want to stay afloat: they have conceded at least one goal in their last 13 league games and have not recorded a second win in a row since March.

Hellas Verona Serie A form:

AC Milan Serie A form:

AC Milan form (all competitions):

Team news

© Imago

Milan was already missing Christian Pulisic, Yunus Musah, Ruben Loftus Cheek, Luka Jovic, Ishmael Bennacer And Alessandro Florenzi but Swiss striker due to various injuries Noah Okafor is now ruled out until next month due to a calf problem and Alvaro Morata got tonsillitis.

It remains to be seen whether potential Manchester United target and usual first choice left-back Theo Hernandez is recalled after being dropped for a Spanish teenager Alex Jimenez last week; After his first start in the senior national team against Genoa, 17 years old Mattia Liberali can make room.

Handed over the captain’s armband last time, a lively winger Rafael Leao will be looking to add to his modest tally of three goals in Serie A this season – all of them away from home.

After a late strike in Parma, Verona Daniel Mosquera scored the most goals (four) as a substitute in the top Italian league and is therefore modeled on his Colombian compatriot Jhon Duranwhich has achieved “super sub” status in England.

He may be offered the rare chance to start at the front, but Amin Sarr, Dailon Livramento And Casper Tengstedt The latter had to sit on the bench at the Stadio Tardini due to a minor calf injury and is also in the running for selection.

The hosts will be missed Juan Cruz And Martin Frese due to injury, plus victim to torn cruciate ligament Abdou Harrouiwhose season ended cruelly with two goals last weekend.

Possible starting lineup for Hellas Verona:
Montipo; Dawidowicz, Coppola, Ghilardi; Tchatchoua, Duda, Belahyane, Lazovic; Suslow, Tengstedt; Sarr

Possible AC Milan starting lineup:
Maignan; Emerson, Gabbia, Thiaw, Jimenez; Fofana, Terraciano; Chukwueze, Reijnders, Leao; Abraham

We say: Hellas Verona – AC Milan 0:2

Milan’s away record alone would see them finish in the bottom half of the table, but their short trip to Verona should still end in a much-needed win.

With the hosts conceding almost three goals per game at the Stadio Bentegodi, they simply cannot keep their back door closed.

To data analyze the most likely outcomes, scores and more for this game Please click here.

Previews via email