Ruben Amorim's AC Milan Debut Against Venezia
Ruben Amorim steps into San Siro for the first time as AC Milan coach on Friday night, carrying a winning start, a restless fanbase and a Rafael Leao‑shaped hole in his attack.
The new man on the Rossoneri bench opened his Serie A tenure with a 2-1 victory away to Torino, a result built on the exuberance of teenager Alphadjo Cisse and the authority of Adrien Rabiot. It was the kind of away win that settles nerves. Now comes the real introduction: under the lights, at home, with expectation heavy in the air.
Venezia arrive bruised. Promoted, ambitious, but already reminded of the division’s brutality after a 2-0 home defeat to Lecce. They travel to Milan looking for a response, not a spectacle.
Amorim’s Milan: Don’t touch a winning side
Sky Sport Italia’s reports are clear: Amorim is not in the mood for experimentation. The coach is expected to send out the same XI that won in Turin, keeping faith with the 3-4-2-1 that showed early promise.
That means Mike Maignan in goal, protected by a back three of Koni De Winter, Mario Gila and Strahinja Pavlovic. Width and thrust should again come from Samuel Chukwueze on the right and Pervis Estupinan on the left, with Ardon Jashari and Yunus Musah anchoring the midfield.
Further forward, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Cisse are set to operate behind Goncalo Ramos, a front line that mixed power, movement and a touch of chaos against Torino. Cisse, in particular, seized his chance with a composed finish that hinted at a precocious temperament as much as raw talent.
Christian Pulisic is expected to start on the bench, but Amorim has already opened the door for the American to see his first minutes of the season. If Milan are chasing a goal or looking to twist the knife late on, Pulisic offers a ready-made injection of creativity and direct running.
Leao absent, transfer noise loud
The glaring omission is Leao. Milan’s former Serie A MVP will not feature, his name now as present in transfer columns as it is on team sheets. With the final days of the summer window ticking away, the Portugal international continues to be linked with moves to Aston Villa and Galatasaray.
His absence strips Milan of their most explosive individual weapon. It also sharpens the focus on Amorim’s collective structure. Without the safety net of Leao’s one‑on‑one brilliance, the system has to sing.
There is depth, though. Luka Modric, Rabiot and Alexis Saelemaekers are all expected to be in the matchday squad and are pushing for starting roles. Even so, the message from Italy is consistent: Amorim intends to trust the side that delivered in Turin. Change, for now, can wait.
Venezia stick to their guns
On the opposite bench, Venezia are unlikely to rip up their own plans after just one defeat. Reports suggest they too will largely stick with the team that started against Lecce, backing the group that earned promotion to grow into the level.
They are set up in a 3-5-2, with a surname that will feel very familiar at San Siro. Filip Stankovic, son of former Inter midfielder Dejan Stankovic, is expected to start in goal. His presence adds a subtle narrative twist: the son of a Nerazzurri favourite now trying to frustrate Milan in their own stadium.
In front of him, Joel Schingtienne, Armel Bella-Kotchap and Hrvoje Franjic are likely to form the back three. Out wide, Kévin Hainaut and another of Venezia’s energetic runners will be asked to do the hard yards on both flanks, while Gianluca Busio and his midfield partners look to disrupt Milan’s rhythm and spring counters.
Up top, the pairing of Kelvin Yeboah and another forward gives Venezia pace to attack the space behind Milan’s high line. If the visitors get anything from the night, it will almost certainly involve them breaking quickly and finishing clinically.
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.
Under the lights
Kick-off at San Siro is scheduled for 19.45 BST. In the stands, curiosity will mix with impatience. Supporters want to see what an Amorim Milan looks like at full volume, not just in a gritty away win.
For viewers, the game will be shown in the UK on DAZN, with fans in the USA able to watch via Paramount+.
A new coach on the touchline, a rising teenager in attack, a star forward with one foot in the transfer rumour mill, and a promoted side daring to test themselves on one of European football’s grandest stages. For Milan, this is not just about three points. It is about the first real glimpse of what this new era might become.
