For the fourth or fifth time this season, Paulo Fonseca finds himself in direct danger of being sacked by Milan. Everyone has already lost count. The Rossoneri had won just one of their previous five league matches, two out of seven. They are already as much as eight points behind fourth place, the last one in the championship, not to mention higher ones. The fans protest furiously. So victory in Verona is needed like air. Will it be possible to get it?
Series A. 17th round
December 20. 21:45. Verona. “Marcantonio Bentegodi”
“Ellas Verona” – “Milan”
Referee: Livio Marinelli
Command status
The club’s 125th anniversary celebrations were spoiled by a goalless home draw with Genoa. Then the fans booed and insulted the players and the club management. They did this before entering the 125th anniversary party. And so violently that club functionaries were forced to sneak into the party and out through the back door. Fonseca was greeted in silence, respecting his frank words about the players’ insufficient efforts.
“Players without hunger and honor, you perfectly represent these owners”, “incompetent directors, a club without ambition. You are unworthy of our history” – these fan banners clearly demonstrate their feelings.
After the Champions League match against Red Star (2:1), Fonseca criticized his players, accused them of lack of desire and fight, threatened to field juniors, and against Genoa he actually fielded two from the first minutes – 19-year-old Jimenez and 17-year-old summer Liberal. After Genoa, he praised the team for its aggression, desire, focus, dominance, pointing to 22 shots on goal, and believes that it did everything except the goal.
In short, Milan’s situation in the league standings is difficult, and the mood is disgusting. Although the Portuguese specialist claims that the team trains properly, with intelligence and passion, that it is in a good mood, that it deserved to score much more points than it scored.
Verona was in the same state before the previous round. Four defeats in a row and seven in eight rounds put Paolo Zanetti on the brink of retirement. Moreover, he could have been fired even earlier. As long as he holds on. In the previous round – thanks to 3:2 in Parma in a bright double-edged game that could have ended either way. But does victory over the league’s newcomer mean a way out of the crisis? In any case, glasses are still needed like air.
Zanetti’s team doesn’t like to own the ball at all, they are second to last in the league in this regard. She defends herself and launches swift attacks. Which it implements very well. In terms of goals scored, it is only three behind Milan (21:24). Although such statistics rather indicate the weakness of the Rossoneri’s attack. The Mastiffs’ problem is conceding – 39 in 16 rounds, at least ten more than any other team in the league.
Everyone in Milan knows the saying “fatal Verona”, they remember how twice at a critical moment – in 1973 and 1990 – they prevented him from winning the Scudetto. Therefore, any match against her at critical moments is perceived nervously and suspiciously. It seems , this is the moment. At least for Fonseca.
Latest team matches
Personnel
Milan continue to suffer from injuries in attack and midfield. Liberali have a very good chance after the first match for the first team to immediately get a second one, and also from the first minutes, since Pulisic, Loftus-Cheek and Musa are still injured. Okafor is also injured and Morata is sick. Bennacer has not yet returned. There are no changes here. Therefore, 17-year-old Camarda can also get a lot of playing minutes.
Will Jimenez get them again? Or will Theo Hernandez, punished by coach, return to the left flank of defense? All four are ready in the center of defense – Tiaw, Gabbia, Pavlovich, Tomori. On the right, Calabria can move Royal.
Verona switched to playing with three central defenders against Parma and should remain with 3-4-2-1. The starting lineup is also unlikely to change. In addition to the author of two assists in Parma, Harrui, who received a serious knee injury. It is more logical to replace him with a defensive player – Castanos, Silva, than with an attacker Livramento.
It should also be noted that both main forward Sarr and substitute forward Mosquera scored in Parma. The latter has already scored four goals this season after coming on as a substitute.
Verona: Montipo, Davidovic, Coppola, Gilardi, Chachua, Belahian, Duda, Lazovic, Dani Silva, Suslov, Sarr
Milan: Magnan, Royal, Thiaw, Gabbia, Hernandez, Fofana, Reynders, Chukwueze, Liberali, Leau, Abraham
Figures and facts
- Milan won their last seven league matches against Verona, although they conceded in six of them. He scored against her in the last 11 league games, in which he did not lose – nine wins, two draws
- In Verona, Milan won their last five matches, and before that they lost two in a row. Both teams scored in the last three
- Six wins in the first 15 rounds of the season in the league – Milan’s worst result since the 2019/20 season
- Verona have not drawn a game this season in the league – five wins, 11 defeats overall, two wins and seven defeats in their last nine matches. Milan have drawn three of their last five league matches, twice 0-0 and once 3-3. In these five he also won once and lost once
- At home, Verona lost their last two league matches, including to Inter with a score of 0:5. True, in the last five she has not only three defeats, but also two victories, including 3:2 over Roma. And in the first home match of the season in the league, she defeated Napoli – 3:0
- Milan have drawn four, lost four and won just one of their last nine league games away from the San Siro – 1-0 in Monza three rounds ago.
- Verona have conceded in their last 13 Serie A matches, the worst run of any of their current teams, and have scored in two of their last four and four of their last six. Milan have kept a clean sheet in three of their last four and four of their last six league matches. True, he didn’t score in two of the last four
Prediction: Hellas Verona – Milan 1:2
Who is Milan closer to in terms of strength? To Inter, who recently won 5-0 in Verona, or to Roma, who recently lost 2-3 here? It’s clear that it’s the latter. The Rossoneri also play poorly away in the league. And in a generally disgusting mood. On the other hand, they are angry and will only seek victory. And their latest statistics against this opponent are very good. With missed goals, but also with victories.
Or will the “fatal Verona” return again?
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