Ruben Amorim's Milan Home Debut Against Venezia
Ruben Amorim walks into San Siro for the first time as Milan coach on Friday night with one early truth already established: he does not feel like tinkering.
A 2-1 opening-day win away to Torino, built on goals from teenager Alphadjo Cisse and the ever-dependable Adrien Rabiot, has given the Portuguese coach a platform. Now comes the home unveiling, under the lights, against newly-promoted Venezia. Same system, same faces, same message.
Amorim’s Milan takes shape
Reports from Sky Sport Italia indicate Amorim will resist any temptation to rotate. Milan are expected to line up again in a 3-4-2-1, with Cisse, Goncalo Ramos and Ruben Loftus-Cheek entrusted to carry the attacking threat.
Cisse, fresh from celebrating his first Serie A goal in Turin, looks set to keep his place as one of the central pillars of this new-look front line. Loftus-Cheek will again drift between the lines, while Ramos leads the line as the reference point.
Behind them, the structure is familiar: Mike Maignan in goal, a back three of Koni De Winter, Mario Gila and Strahinja Pavlovic, with Samuel Chukwueze and Piero Estupinan operating as wing-backs. In the middle, Ardon Jashari and Yunus Musah are expected to anchor the midfield, giving Rabiot the freedom to push and probe when called upon.
Christian Pulisic is not expected to start, but Amorim has already opened the door to the American’s season debut from the bench. If the game state allows, San Siro could see its first glimpse of Pulisic in this campaign.
Leao absent, future uncertain
One major name will be missing. Milan must do without former Serie A MVP Rafael Leao, who remains at the centre of transfer speculation in the final days of the window.
The Portugal international continues to be linked with a move to Aston Villa or Galatasaray. For now, he stays on the periphery of Amorim’s plans, unavailable for selection and very much the subject of boardroom conversations rather than tactical ones.
Luka Modric, Rabiot and Alexis Saelemaekers are all expected to be part of the matchday squad and are pushing for starting roles. Yet the word from Italy is consistent: Amorim is unlikely to disrupt a winning side unless forced.
Venezia arrive with a familiar name in goal
Venezia, beaten 2-0 at home by Lecce in their opening fixture, come to San Siro with their own sense of continuity. Despite that defeat, reports suggest they too will stick closely to the XI that started last weekend.
In goal, there will be a surname that resonates in this stadium. Filip Stankovic, son of former Inter midfielder Dejan Stankovic, is set to start between the posts, adding a subtle twist of nostalgia to the evening.
Venezia are expected to line up in a 3-5-2: Stankovic behind a defensive trio of Joel Schingtienne, Armel Bella-Kotchap and Bartol Franjic. On the flanks, Koffi Hainaut and an overlapping option on the opposite side will look to stretch Milan, with a midfield of Gianluca Busio, plus support from Perez, Basi and Correia tasked with disrupting Amorim’s rhythm. Up front, the workload falls on Yeboah and Adams.
Probable line-ups
- Milan (3-4-2-1): Maignan; De Winter, Gila, Pavlovic; Chukwueze, Jashari, Musah, Estupinan; Loftus-Cheek, Cisse; Ramos.
- Venezia (3-5-2): Stankovic; Schingtienne, Bella-Kotchap, Franjic; Hainaut, Perez, Busio, Basi, Correia; Yeboah, Adams.
Kick-off at San Siro is scheduled for 19.45 BST. For Amorim, it is more than just a home debut. It is a chance to show that last week in Turin was not a one-off, but the first step in a Milan side already taking his shape.
