HELLAS VERONA v AC MILAN: MATCH PREVIEW

AC Milan dive back into Serie A action after midweek European action. After beating Empoli and Juventus, the Rossoneri are aiming to rack up their third consecutive league win against Hellas Verona, who have slipped to the bottom of the table. Let's delve into the 20:45 CEST kick-off with our Match Preview.

LATEST FROM MILANELLO
The match at the Bentegodi comes at an important point of the season, in a weekend in which the Rossoneri could take advantage of the clash between Lazio and Udinese to consolidate their position in the league in the top four. Pioli's boys will rely on their resilience away from home, where they are still unbeaten, to face the match with composure and react to the disappointment in Europe. Many of the starters against Chelsea will do so again on Sunday, including Fikayo Tomori in search of redemption. With De Ketelaere out of the side, Junior Messias, absent in the league in the match against Napoli and on the bench in the Champions League, will be available for selection. The Brazilian could get minutes against Verona, with several alternatives available to Coach Pioli, especially in the midfield - where Bennacer, Pobega and Tonali are competing for two starting spots - and going forward, with Rebić or Origi who could give Giroud, with his eleventh consecutive start in all competitions, a rest.

"We are working well to approach the game with Verona at the highest level: we have a great group and we are doing the right things. We must carry on like this," were the words on the eve of the match from Theo Hernández, who will wear the captain's armband at the Bentegodi due to the absence of Davide Calabria.

LATEST FROM HELLAS VERONA
After four defeats in a row, Hellas have decided to change technical direction and have entrusted Salvatore Bocchetti, a Primavera coach with a brief history at AC Milan as a player, with the team's leadership. The Scaligeri, third-last, two points from the relegation zone, had their only victory of the season in front of their own fans in the match against Sampdoria. The various absentees, especially in defence, could lead the new coach to some changes in the choice of players and in the formation on the pitch. With Ceccherini disqualified, Cabal, Günter and Hien should find space in defence. On the wings in the possible 3-4-1-2 will be Doig and De Paoli, while in midfield Tameze and Miguel Veloso are candidates due to the absence of Lazović and Ilić. In attack, Henry is likely to be present while the choice between the two forwards or the double attacking midfield remains to be seen. 

"We have some players unavailable, either injured or disqualified, but we will give everything we have, for us it will be an important match," Coach Bocchetti said. "We are aware of AC Milan's strength, they are a team playing to win the league again. During the week I worked on calming the boys down, trying to transmit the right spirit to them".

LATEST FROM SERIE A
Hellas Verona v AC Milan will be officiated by Davide Massa, referee from Imperia, and fourth official Marchetti, with two assistants Bresmes and Vecchi completing the refereeing team. In the VAR room will be Mazzoleni and, assisting, Paganessi. AC Milan have played 15 matches under the control of the Ligurian referee, with a total of five wins, six draws and four defeats. The Rossoneri's last match refereed by Massa was the home clash with Napoli in December 2021. 

Matchday 10 of Serie A kicked off yesterday with Empoli 1-0 Monza, Torino 0-1 Juventus and Atalanta 2-1 Sassuolo. Today sees Inter v Salernitana at 12.30 CEST, Lazio v Udinese and Spezia v Cremonese at 15.00 CEST and Napoli v Bologna at 18.00 CEST. The week will end with the two Monday matches, Sampdoria v Roma (18.30 CEST) and Lecce v Fiorentina (20.45 CEST).

This is how the table looks: Atalanta* 24; Napoli 23; Lazio, Udinese, AC Milan 20; Roma 19; Juventus* 16; Inter 15; Sassuolo* 12; Empoli*, Torino* 11; Salernitana, Monza* 10; Fiorentina 9; Spezia 8; Lecce, Bologna 7; Hellas Verona 5; Cremonese, Sampdoria 3. (* = a game in hand)

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