AC MILAN v HELLAS VERONA: MATCH PREVIEW

Having mathematically qualified for next season's Champions League, the Rossoneri host Hellas Verona to end this season on a high and reach the 70-point mark in the table. The 38th Serie A matchday features - at the same time - five important fixtures for European places and the relegation battle, and the stakes are high at San Siro. Awaiting the kick-off, scheduled for 21:00 CEST, we delve into the themes of the game with our Match Preview:

LATEST FROM MILANELLO
The important victory in Turin against Juventus allowed AC Milan to celebrate their entry into the elite European competition. Against Hellas Verona, however, who are in the hunt for relegation battle points, the Rossoneri categorically cannot let their guard down in order to give their fans - who are expected to be in abundance in this final match of the season - one last satisfaction. With this objective in mind, AC Milan should take to the field at San Siro in the sign of continuity compared to the last outings: Coach Pioli should in fact confirm the starting eleven observed first against Sampdoria and then Juventus. Rade Krunić and Tommaso Pobega are expected to compete for a place in the centre of the pitch, but other surprises cannot be ruled out - while Zlatan Ibrahimović will not be available.

"Tomorrow we will have to beat Hellas Verona because we are AC Milan, because we will play - once again - in front of more than 70 thousand fans and we could also become the second team with the most home points after Napoli," the words of Coach Pioli in the press conference. "We don't need extra motivation, we must close the championship in the best possible way. The standings are always important, we absolutely want to get the three points even if Hellas will be highly motivated. We have to give our best and stay focused on ourselves".

LATEST FROM HELLAS VERONA
The Gialloblù are fresh from a home draw - cashed in in mid-recovery - against Empoli. The 1-1 draw at the Bentegodi has forced the Veneti to work overtime in view of this last matchday of the A league: the 31 points gained so far - just like Spezia, engaged in Rome - do not leave Hellas calm, as they are called upon to score at San Siro to have any hope for salvation. The club's chances of staying in the top Italian league could remain open even in the event of a defeat: if Spezia are defeated as well, the relegation play-off will be played in a head-to head match. With no one disqualified, Coach Zaffaroni seems intent on retaining the team that faced Zanetti's Tuscan side in large numbers, with - in addition - the important returns from the first minute of former Rossoneri Simone Verdi, called upon to bring unpredictability and goals, and Marco Faraoni. Gaich, a goalscorer in the most recent outing, is favoured over Đurić as an offensive option.

WHERE TO WATCH AC MILAN v HELLAS VERONA
In Italy, the match will be broadcast by DAZN. To watch AC Milan v Hellas Verona in a different country, however, you can consult the section "Where to watch Milan on TV" under "Abroad". On the Rossoneri channels, the appointment is with Milan TV's Matchday where live coverage will start at 19:45 CEST until close to kick-off. After full time, we will have interviews and Coach Pioli's press conference. From 20:55 CEST, there will also be Live Reaction on AC Milan's Twitch channel. Also, not to be missed is the coverage on acmilan.com, AC Milan Official App and our official social media profiles.

LATEST FROM SERIE A
Paolo Valeri will referee AC Milan v Hellas Verona. The next match will be match number 224 in the Italian top flight for the experienced official from Rome. The referee, born in 1978, has 33 previous matches with the Rossoneri, with zero in this season's Serie A campaign. The last fixture with AC Milan dates back to 1 May 2022, the date of their 1-0 win over Fiorentina in the Scudetto race. He will be accompanied by assistants Giallatini and Preti, along with fourth man Volpi. Mariani on VAR, assisted by Muto.

Matchday 38 of Serie A will deliver the final verdicts of this season. The final round of this championship that started on Friday 2 June with Sassuolo 1-3 Fiorentina. Three matches were played yesterday, Saturday 3 June: Torino 0-1 Inter, Cremonese 2-0 Salernitana and Empoli 0-2 Lazio. The first match on Sunday is scheduled at 18.30 CEST, Napoli v Sampdoria, but the most eagerly awaited matches are all at 21.00 CEST: eyes will be on AC Milan v Hellas Verona and Roma v Spezia, but Atalanta v Monza, Lecce v Bologna and Udinese v Juventus will also take the field. European placings and staying up in the top division are at stake.

Here is the current Serie A table: Napoli 87; Lazio* 74; Inter 72*; Milan 67; Atalanta 61; Roma 60; Juventus 59; Fiorentina* 56; Torino* 53; Monza 52; Bologna 51; Udinese 46; Sassuolo* 45; Empoli* 43; Salernitana* 42; Lecce 36; Spezia e Hellas Verona 31; Cremonese* 27; Sampdoria 19. (* = one more game played)

The AC Milan PUMA Home Kit for 2023/24 is available: buy it now!