AC Milan ring the changes for this early-season clash, with a heavily rotated eleven taking the field at San Siro. Venezia themselves are cobbling together a side amid a raft of missing players, but their possession-heavy approach yielded only a blank in the opener. History is…
AC Milan vs Venezia: Christian Pulisic Poised for Season Debut
AC Milan welcome Venezia for the second round of the 2026‑27 Serie A season on Friday 28 August, with Ruben Amorim’s side looking to build on their opening‑day outing. Venezia, back in the top flight after winning Serie B under Giovanni Stroppa, arrive aiming to prove they belong. While the two clubs have not met in the league since a 4‑1 Milan victory in September 1949, the contest gains a compelling narrative through Christian Pulisic’s anticipated return and the visitors’ captain Gianluca Busio facing his USMNT colleagues.
Team News and Injury Latest
Milan are set to be boosted by Pulisic’s availability. The 27‑year‑old, who suffered an ankle and knee injury during the 2026 World Cup, completed part of Tuesday’s training session and, having been left out of the Torino trip, is expected to be involved against Venezia. Rafael Leão remains a doubt, however – the Portuguese winger has not recovered from muscular discomfort and may miss a second straight match. Fikayo Tomori, Youssouf Fofana, Santiago Gimenez and Christopher Nkunku have all been excluded from the squad for transfer reasons, with Amorim confirming they are not in his plans at present.
For Venezia, coach Stroppa named 27 players in the Coppa Italia win over Modena. Forward Andrea Adorante and defender Marin Šverko were absent from that list and their fitness will be reassessed after the opening league round. The club have strengthened their goalkeeping options by signing Lorenzo Montipò – who boasts 216 Serie A appearances – though Filip Stanković, the starter in pre‑season and the cup, is likely to keep his place.
AC Milan’s New Era Under Amorim
The Rossoneri have adopted a 3‑4‑2‑1 shape throughout the summer, capped by a 4‑2 friendly win over Manchester United. With Leão unavailable, the creative load falls on Ruben Loftus‑Cheek and Samuel Chukwueze, while Yunus Musah – a USMNT teammate of both Pulisic and Busio – anchors the midfield. A bench featuring Pulisic, Alexis Saelemaekers and Francesco Camarda gives Milan quality options in the closing stages.
Venezia’s Return to the Top Flight
Stroppa’s Venezia earned promotion playing front‑foot football, and the coach has promised to keep that identity while adding Serie A‑appropriate balance. Their most recent competitive outing, a 3‑2 Coppa Italia victory over Modena, saw summer signing Akor Adams net twice. Captain Busio, in his sixth season at the club, contributed seven goals and four assists in the promotion campaign and will be the midfield heartbeat. Alongside John Yeboah and the in‑form Adams, Busio gives the newly promoted side a counter‑attacking threat capable of unsettling a Milan backline that is still finding its rhythm.
Head‑to‑Head: A 77‑Year Gap
Official records show the last top‑flight meeting between the clubs took place on 25 September 1949, ending 4‑1 to Milan. Venezia’s decades in the lower leagues mean there is no modern H2H precedent to lean on, making Friday’s encounter a genuine journey into the unfamiliar for both teams.
What’s Next
After the Venezia test, Milan visit Frosinone in the third round, while Stroppa’s men host Udinese. For now, the focus is on whether Amorim’s revamped side can record a first league win of the season and whether a newly promoted Venezia can show they are equipped to survive.
After the Venezia test, Milan visit Frosinone in the third round, while Stroppa’s men host Udinese. For now, the focus is on whether Amorim’s revamped side can record a first league win of the season and whether a newly promoted Venezia can show they are equipped to survive.
