Serie A | Gameweek 34

Apr 27, 2025 at 11.30am UK

Stadio Pierluigi Penzo

Venezia vs AC Milan

Match preview

After a tense first leg, the fifth and final Derby della Madonnina of the season was played out on Wednesday when Milan took on Inter Milan in the Coppa Italia semi-finals.

Having both lost in the league last week, the city rivals met again at the San Siro, where an inspired performance from Luka Jovic saw the Rossoneri claim victory - on the night and overall - to complete an unbeaten campaign against the Nerazzurri.

An impressive 3-0 win, capped by another goal from star man Tijjani Reijnders, completed a surprisingly comfortable 4-1 aggregate victory and booked Milan's place in the final.

But before they take on Bologna at the Stadio Olimpico next month, Sergio Conceicao's inconsistent side will have to try and end a disappointing Serie A campaign without suffering any more momentum-sapping setbacks.

Last week's defeat at the hands of Lombard neighbours Atalanta BC, their fourth in five meetings, effectively ended any slim hopes of Champions League qualification - with the cup still by far the best route back to Europe.

Now five points adrift of eighth-placed Fiorentina, several clubs stand between them and a place in next season's continental competition.

Although Conceicao's reign - which could come to an end as early as June, if persistent rumours are to be believed - began with victory over Inter in the Supercoppa final, a summer reset seems on the cards.

Meanwhile, Venezia's post-season activities could still go one of two ways, as recent results have kept dreams of top-flight survival alive.

Seemingly dead and buried in February, Eusebio Di Francesco's side have lost just one of their last eight matches - albeit six drawn - to move within a point of safety.

A win over rock-bottom Monza even ended a 14-match winless streak, but the Lagunari let back-to-back victories slip through their fingers last weekend as fellow strugglers Empoli held them to a 2-2 draw.

Having dropped the most points from leading positions in Serie A (28), Venezia are still very much in danger - but with five games remaining, they could still climb out of the relegation zone.

The Arancioneroverdi, who were beaten 4-0 at San Siro in September, have lost their last four meetings with Milan, conceding 13 goals in the process, so the odds are against them improving their position on Sunday.

Recent Performance

Venezia Serie A form:DDLDWD

AC Milan Serie A form:WWLDWL

AC Milan form (all competitions):LDDWLW

Team News

Having finally settled on a successful formation, Sergio Conceicao is likely to stick with his recent 3-4-3, although there may be a few changes to the line-up.

Matteo Gabbia was forced off midway through the second half of Milan's win over Inter with a neck injury, leaving Malick Thiaw in contention to start at the back. Up front, Tammy Abraham and the fit-again Santiago Gimenez are both ready to replace Luka Jovic if required.

Only Emerson Royal remains sidelined as fellow right-back Kyle Walker is back in full training after recovering from elbow surgery.

Venezia will be without Richie Sagrado, Michael Svoboda and first-choice goalkeeper Filip Stankovic, who is on loan from Inter.

In their absence, Andrei Radu - who has also represented the Nerazzurri and once played an inadvertent role in Milan's snatching of the Scudetto from their arch-rivals - will continue to deputise.

Daniel Fila returns after serving a one-match ban and will compete with Christian Gytkjaer and Mirko Maric for a place up front.

Possible starting lineup

Venezia possible starting lineup:

Radu; Schingtienne, Idzes, Cande; Zerbin, Perez, Nicolussi Caviglia, Busio, Ellertsson; Yeboah; Fila

AC Milan possible starting lineup:

Maignan; Tomori, Thiaw, Pavlovic; Jimenez, Fofana, Reijnders, Hernandez; Pulisic, Jovic, Leao