Week 21: Venezia – Milan
Milan impressed in beating Roma 3-1 in the first game of the calendar year. Despite five players out in COVID-19 isolation the team kept its shape and looked more dynamic and tactically impressive. Leao and Ibra’s return, as subs, aided the team to finish off the game with the former scoring an impressive goal and showing further signs of progressing to a genuine star.
This early afternoon week 21 match comes only three days after Mourinho’s men visited the San Siro. The short gap means little will change in terms of player availability. Maignan, and his impressive reflexes, will start in goal. The French man will be backed up by Mirante and possibly Lapo Nava again. The 17 years old latter was an emergency call up for the Roma match as none of Tatarusanu, Plizzari and Jungdal are available. Florenzi, Kalulu, Gabbia and Theo are pretty much the only options at the back. Conti will likely make another rare appearance in what is surely his final days in a Milan jersey. Tonali and Bakayoko or Krunic will be the pivots. Tonali is another player showing signs of rapid progress into stardom. The young Italian’s value is rising fast. Messias, Diaz and Leao are the first candidates to start behind Ibra. Rebic could be ready for his first taste of action since mid November.
Venezia’s return to Serie A might not have yet been a spectacular one but the team is making a name for itself in marketing and in particular its highly rated jersey designs. The team sits in 16th place and features Mattia Caldara. The Milan owned defender is suspended for this game, a suspension that was due to be served in the postponed/suspended match at Salernitana.
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