HELLAS VERONA v AC MILAN: OPPONENT REVIEW

Serie A matchday 10 sees Stefano Pioli's AC Milan travel to Hellas Verona for the late kick-off on Sunday evening. Although 15 points currently separate the two sides, the Rossoneri will need to be at their best. This is the Gialloblù's worst record after nine games in the top flight since 2015/16 - five points from nine games in both instances - when they ended up getting relegated at the end of the season. The goalscoring records are similar between the two campaigns as well: the same number of goals scored at this point (eight) but two more conceded. Yet this will be sure to drive Salvatore Bocchetti's team to play with character and tenacity as they seek to get out of the drop zone.

Veloso and company will be looking to put a stop to a poor run of results: Verona have lost each of their last four league games and haven't registered five straight defeats in Serie A since May 2018 (seven in that case, before getting relegated under Pecchia). Last but certainly not least in terms of importance, the main task for the Gialloblù's new boss will be to get his team to maintain concentration for the full 90 minutes. The Scaligeri have, along with Bologna, dropped the most points from winning positions at home in Serie A this season (six). 

CHARACTER AND A 'GOOD AIM': THIS IS HOW BOCCHETTI CAN RESTORE CONFIDENCE IN THE GROUP
The coach could be the decisive element. In any case, Salvatore Bocchetti is not an unfamiliar face at Hellas. The coach has actually spent his entire coaching career at the club, having taken charge of both the Under-18s and the Primavera before being handed the first team job. The 36-year-old Neapolitan has a "Gasperini-esque" side at his disposal, as did former Hellas boss Jurić. In fact, Gasp actually gave Bocchetti a great deal of playing time in central defence for Genoa in 2008. Bocchetti, furthermore, played nine games (six starts) in Serie A for AC Milan while on loan at the club, even facing the Giallboblù in a 2-2 draw in March of that year.

The scene has shifted and what the former Italy international - he was called up a few times by Lippi - will do to reverse the trend will not be known until 20:45 CEST on Sunday. What's certain is that the squad does not lack talent, it just needs to be honed and refined. For example, the Scaligeri certainly need to improve their accuracy in front of goal, as they have the fourth-lowest percentage of shots on target in the league (36.6%). In fact, just 26 of their 99 shots have hit the target. It must be said, that Verona have also been unlucky with the woodwork, having struck the frame of the goal more than any team this season (Henry has the most of any individual player, three, level with Deulofeu). In short, the offensive firepower is there, but the aim definitely needs adjusting.

HENRY'S CONSISTENCY AND FRESH LEGS FROM DOIG
It's a game for the Gialloblù that could be a much-needed reboot in Serie A and, therefore, a lot of players will be looking to make the difference. However, we would be remiss not to focus on the players who have stood out already this season. The Scaligeri have scored just eight goals this season (including an Audero own goal) - a small total but one that sheds some light on the most dangerous names in the side. The absolute goal threat is, without a doubt, Thomas Henry. The Frenchman is, along with Josh Doig, one of just two Hellas Verona players with more than one goal from open play in the first nine matches (nine apiece). He has also had the most touches in the opposition penalty area (39, at least ten more than any other Gialloblù player) and only Ilić (14) has created more chances than him for Hellas in the current campaign.

The other threat for the Gialloblù is young Scotsman Josh Doig, who, as well as having a hand in 37% (3/8) of Verona's goals in Serie A this season, is the youngest (2002) player to have been involved in more than two goals in the league: three - a goal and an assist. There are also a couple of players who will be hoping to add to their personal tallies against Milan, especially with the Rossoneri travelling to the Bentegodi as the reigning champions of Italy. Kevin Lasagna has scored three league goals against the Diavolo, though all at San Siro, while Davide Faraoni has bagged twice against Milan, one just three teams against whom he has scored more than one goal (also against Napoli and Roma).

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