AC MILAN v VENEZIA: MATCH PREVIEW

The season may only just have begun, but AC Milan v Venezia already carries great significance. Not so much in terms of points and the league table - important though the game is, it is still very early in the campaign following the trip to Torino - but because it is the first game at San Siro and the first at home without Franco Baresi. Ahead of tonight's 20:45 CEST kick-off on Friday 28 August, we look ahead to the Rossoneri's second game of the 2026/27 Serie A season with our Match Preview.

LATEST FROM MILANELLO
The Rossoneri made a winning start and produced an encouraging performance at the Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino. The team got both their approach and attitude right, taking to the pitch with courage and attacking intent, before dropping off only towards the end. Amorim's squad have worked hard over the past few days at Milanello powered by Clivet, looking to improve in every area. Pulisic is still short of full fitness, while Leão and P. Terracciano are unavailable. Venezia represent another test, as well as an opportunity to make it two wins from two and, at least for one night, move top of the table outright.

"It'll be a special day. I'll feel the responsibility that comes with being AC Milan coach," said Rúben Amorim ahead of the match. "However, I'll try to enjoy my first time at San Siro. I'm expecting a difficult game. We'll need to press them well, run a lot and use the ball intelligently, with humility. We need to give the team stability and develop a way of playing that allows everyone to be involved throughout the season. We always want to be competitive, both in Serie A and in Europe. Our aim is to win trophies. For me, concentration is fundamental."

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LATEST FROM VENEZIA
Venezia got off to a disappointing start at the Penzo, suffering a 2-0 defeat to Lecce. Promoted after winning Serie B last season, Stroppa's Arancioverdi have returned to the top flight with the clear objective of avoiding relegation. Despite the defeat, the Lagunari - who lined up in a 3-5-2 - produced a good first-half performance last weekend, creating chances and testing an ever-alert Falcone, before fading after the break. Key figures include Stanković between the posts, Bella-Kotchap at the back and Busio in midfield, while Adams and Yeboah provide the main threat up front. Adorante and Šverko are unavailable.

"We'll try to play our game at San Siro," said Stroppa ahead of the match. "We'll do so while being fully aware of the setting and the opponents we're facing. We'll need to maintain the highest level of concentration on every ball. I have great respect for Amorim. His team have a strong identity and I think there are similarities between us, both in our defensive set-up and in the way we play in general."

PRE-MATCH STATISTICS

• AC Milan have won their last five Serie A matches against Venezia, scoring at least two goals on each occasion and keeping a clean sheet in the last four. This is their longest run of consecutive clean sheets against the Arancioneroverdi in the competition.
• The Rossoneri are unbeaten in their last ten home Serie A meetings with Venezia (W8, D2). Among teams currently in the top flight, AC Milan have longer ongoing unbeaten home runs only against Lecce (14) and Torino (30), while they are also on ten against Bologna.
• AC Milan attempted 19 shots on Matchday 1 of Serie A, all from inside the penalty area - at least six more shots from inside the box than any other side.
• Alphadjo Cisse scored his first Serie A goal for AC Milan at the age of 19 years and 305 days. If he scores against Venezia, he would become the youngest player to find the net in each of his first two Serie A appearances for the Rossoneri in the three-points-for-a-win era (19 years and 310 days), surpassing Balotelli and Shevchenko, who both achieved the feat aged 22.

WHERE TO WATCH AC MILAN v VENEZIA
In Italy, it will be broadcast live on DAZN. To watch it from another country, you can check the AC Milan on TV webpage and select the "Abroad" tab. Don't miss the coverage on acmilan.com, the AC Milan Official App, as well as the Club's social media channels and WhatsApp.

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LATEST FROM SERIE A
Gianluca Manganiello has been appointed as the referee for what will be his 121st Serie A match. He has previously refereed the Rossoneri eleven times in the competition, most recently in February's 3-0 win away to Bologna. Rossi and Dei Giudici will be the assistant referees, with Mercenaro as the fourth official and Camplone on VAR duty (Pezzuto AVAR).

Serie A Matchday 2 gets underway on Friday with AC Milan v Venezia. On Saturday, Fiorentina v Frosinone, Monza v Udinese and Sassuolo v Torino kick off at 18:30 CEST, followed by Juventus v Parma at 20:45 CEST. On Sunday, Napoli v Como takes place at 18:30 CEST, followed by Cagliari v Inter and Lazio v Genoa at 20:45 CEST. Matchday 2 concludes on Monday, with Lecce v Roma at 18:30 CEST and Atalanta v Bologna at 20:45 CEST.

Here are the standings: Roma, Inter, Lecce, Napoli, AC Milan, Atalanta, Juventus, Lazio and Cagliari 3 points; Udinese and Como 1; Sassuolo, Torino, Bologna, Frosinone, Parma, Genoa, Venezia, Monza and Fiorentina 0.

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