AC MILAN V VENEZIA: DUELS

A team that AC Milan have faced before but who have just spent 20 years away from Serie A. At 20:45 CEST on Wednesday 22 September, Venezia will be the visitors to San Siro in what will be the Rossoneri’s first match against a newly promoted side this season. It's a potential banana skin and comes during an action-packed period that will see the Diavolo play lots of matches up until the next international break. As we wait to see the sides that Pioli and Zanetti send out, here are the most interesting duels that we could see on the pitch.

ANTE REBIĆ V THOMAS HENRY
Different characteristics but the same position on the pitch: Rebić out of necessity, Henry in his natural role. The Croat is set to play as AC Milan's main striker for a fourth consecutive match after also doing so against Lazio, Liverpool and Juve. In Turin, he scored the team's equaliser, just like he levelled matters at Anfield in the Champions League. He's already bagged twice and provided two assists this season, and, in general, he's been involved eight goals in his last seven Serie A appearances. Venezia's French striker also has solid numbers: he scored and registered an assist in his team's 2-1 victory over Empoli, the only win they've recorded this campaign. The former Leuven man, who netted 21 times in the Belgian top flight last season, is the Venezia player who has attempted the most shots so far this season (eight). These are two players in good form and should be closely watched.

BRAHIM DÍAZ V MATTIA ARAMU
The two number 10s. Díaz is playing as more of a classic attacking playmaker, always ready to move around to make it difficult for opponents to mark him. In addition to his goal in Liverpool, Brahim scored AC Milan's winner in their Serie A opener against Sampdoria and is only looking to improve in this regard. The Spaniard is making a big contribution to the Diavolo's attacking play: out of all the Rossoneri players, he's leading the way when it comes to passes in the opposition half (123) and number of attempted dribbles (16). Aramu, meanwhile, will play in more of a wide position (the right flank, to be precise) and is aiming to build on his ten goals and six assists in Serie B last season. With his early season suspension well out of the way, he's ready to be a key figure for the Lagunari this campaign. Theo Hernández will have to be very attentive.

RAFAEL LEÃO V DENNIS JOHNSEN
Two men with talent and quality who play down the left. They possess the pace to really bring the game to life. Leão is enjoying featuring on a consistent basis: he's started all of AC Milan's matches this season, scored twice and continues to show clear signs that he's maturing as a player. There's the San Siro factor, too: the Portuguese man found the net in the Rossoneri's first two fixtures on home turf this season. Since the start of the three-points-per-win era, only five Diavolo players have scored in each of AC Milan's first three home matches in Serie A: Weah and Baggio in 1996, Bierhoff in 1999, Shevchenko in 2000 and Inzaghi in 2002. He's had three shots on target, more than any other Rossonero. As for Johnsen, he's a key figure in Zanetti's line-up. So far, he's created ten chances for his teammates in the league, more than twice as much as any other Venezia player. He's also leading the way when it comes to shots on target (three), crosses made (eleven) and dribbles attempted (13). The Rossoneri must watch out for this dangerous youngster.

ALESSIO ROMAGNOLI V PIETRO CECCARONI
Both are left-footed centre-backs and both will be vital for their respective teams in the hunt to keep a clean sheet - or at least to risk as little as possible. With Kjær out through injury, Romagnoli will, once again, partner Tomori in the heart of the Rossoneri's backline, as he did against Lazio and Juve. In both of these matches, the pair conceded just one goal (Morata) and let their opponents have very few chances. The AC Milan captain is in a rich vein of form and is in peak physical condition too. Ceccaroni, meanwhile, is one of the leaders of this current Venezia side. He's made more passes (214) and more clearances (20) than any of his teammates so far this season and is fresh from scoring his first Serie A goal - a header from a free-kick - last weekend, even though it didn't bring his team any points (2-1 to Spezia).

Tickets are on sale for AC Milan's matches against Venezia and Atletico Madrid at San Siro. Buy yours now!