AC MILAN v HELLAS VERONA: DUELS

Having both found the net 15 times, AC Milan v Hellas Verona pits together two sides who are currently in the top five in Serie A when it comes to goals scored. It's not particularly surprising, then, that attacking players feature prominently as we take a look at the individual battles that could be coming up at San Siro tomorrow evening. Here are the four most interesting duels:

RAFAEL LEÃO V GIANLUCA CAPRARI
This is perhaps the battle involving the two most in-form players for the respective sides. With three goals to his name, the Portuguese man, who has been an ever-present, has never enjoyed a better start to a season in the Rossoneri shirt. The Verona forward, who arrived from Sampdoria on the last day of the transfer window, has been a key figure for Tudor, netting in both of the Gialloblù's two league victories so far this campaign (against Roma and Spezia). Leão and Caprari are two players who work opposition defences: out of all his Diavolo teammates, the former is leading the way when it comes to shots taken (both on and off target) and number of dribbles; the latter, meanwhile, is the Verona player who has been fouled the most.

BRAHIM DÍAZ V ANTONÍN BARÁK
Another duel with great attacking promise is the one between the Spaniard and the Czech. While they have different characteristics, both play key tactical roles for their respective sides. Díaz, who is used to operating centrally, has already scored three times and is really excelling in his trequartista position. Barák, meanwhile, has bagged two goals and played on the right during the past few matchdays, either as an attacking playmaker or an offensive winger. Compared to his teammates, the Czech is leading the way in terms of shots taken, dribbles attempted and passes in the opposition half of the pitch.

OLIVIER GIROUD V GIOVANNI SIMEONE
In a match where two of the most in-form attacks in the league will meet (AC Milan and Verona have scored seven and nine goals in their last three games respectively), we couldn't leave out the duel between the players who are likely to be the game's main forwards. Giroud has only made one league appearance at San Siro so far, but his brace against Cagliari at the end of August meant it was a highly successful one. Since 1994/95, just four AC Milan players have scored three goals in their first two Serie A games at San Siro, but the Frenchman would join that list should he find the net against the Gialloblù. As for the Argentine, he's scored in consecutive matches and will be looking to bag against the Rossoneri for the first time since the 2017/18 campaign.

ISMAËL BENNACER V IVAN ILIĆ
The outcome of the San Siro showdown will also be highly dependent on what goes on in the middle of the park, and an interesting battle awaits between the Algerian and young Serb. Bennacer, who is enjoying an excellent spell (his goal for Algeria on Tuesday is testament to this), plays a key role in stitching together the Rossoneri's attacking moves, as highlighted by the fact that, on average, he's had 105 touches every 90 minutes – the highest figure in the league. As for Ilić, he's the Verona player who has made the most passes (308) and is building on his promising performances under Jurić last year. He'll no doubt be eager to showcase his talents at the prestigious setting of San Siro.

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