After a demoralizing loss robbery in the Champions League midweek, Milan are looking to bounce back with a win in the league. There are two problems with that. The first is that they still have a number of injuries to key players. The second is that they are away, to the Bentegodi no less. A stadium that is known for having some of the most hostile, combative, volatile fans in Serie A. Verona also have a brand new coach, as they currently sit in the relegation zone, desperate for points. However, they have a number of key injuries of their own, so it will be more like a battle at the Bentegodi.
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| Milan will need to bring all of their available weapons to battle |
Verona sacked Cioffi this week and replaced him with brand new manager Salvatore Bocchetti, who actually played at Milan on loan for six months back in 2015. Having worked only as an assistant coach or youth coach, Bocchetti does not even have his full UEFA Pro coaching license yet. He comes into a dismal situation, with Verona on one win, two draws, and six losses this season.
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| He's so new, he's on an emergency coaching license |
Their most recent loss was a 2-1 loss away to Salernitana last Sunday, which also saw Ceccherini sent off in the dying moments of the match. For that one, Cioffi lined up Montipò; Hien, Güner, Ceccherini; Depaoli, Tamèze, Veloso, Doig; Hrustic, Verdi; and Henry. Bocchetti will obviously be missing Ceccherini to suspension this time. He will also be missing Coppola, Dawidowicz, Lazović, Ilić, and Lasagna to injury on Sunday.
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| Pioli will be looking for victory in his 150th Milan match |
As for Pioli, this will be his 150th Milan match. He saw Kjaer return to training on Friday, but it is unclear if he will be fit enough or available for the trip to Verona. That still leaves him with six important players out injured: Ibrahimović, Florenzi, Calabria, Saelemaekers, Maignan, and De Ketelaere. While De Ketelaere and Maignan could possibly return by next weekend, this still leaves us very short-handed for this weekend's trip. With so many matches recently, Pioli may be forced to rest some of the players like Giroud, too, who have played every single match.
Both sides will be looking to get the win, both sides will be missing at least six players to injuries and suspension. While Bocchetti may be new, he will have the fans at the Bentegodi behind him. Milan will want to give Pioli the win for his milestone match. It will not be easy for either side, it will be a true battle at the Bentagodi.
This match inspired by the music of The Cranberries' "Zombie"
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Reviewed by Elaine
on
4:00 PM
Rating:
