Milan beat Venezia 2-0 at San Siro to draw level on points with leaders Inter at the top of Serie A. After being frustrated for more than an hour, the introduction of Hernandez made a huge difference as he set up Diaz for the opener and then scored the second in a deserved victory.
Up next for Milan is a trip to Spezia on Saturday, while Venezia – who have dropped into the relegation zone following today's Serie A matches – host Torino on their return to action two days later.
That is all for today's live text coverage. Thanks for joining, goodbye!
Cronaca
Formazioni
Statistiche
90'+4'
FULL-TIME: MILAN 2-0 VENEZIA22:42
90'+4'
SAVES! Venezia are ending the game strongly. Henry's overhead kick lacks power to seriously trouble Maignan, who is also equal to an attempt from Aramu.22:42
90'+3'
The subsequent Milan corner comes to nothing. Not that it matters at this point as there are just seconds remaining. 22:38
90'+2'
GOOD SAVE! Saelemaekers carries the ball inside and has a go at goal from a long way out. Maenpaa pushes the well-struck shot over the crossbar.22:38
90'
The offside flag goes up against Okereke, who we have not seen a great deal of since being introduced. Milan are four minutes away from getting three more points on the board.22:36
88'
The hosts are pushing for a third goal, rather than sitting back on what they have. Milan have had 14 shots in total today and are good value for their victory.22:35
86'
Hernandez is caught by a stray arm in the side of the face and goes to ground. He is soon back to his feet and play can continue.22:34
84'
Venezia held firm for over an hour but Milan's quality has ultimately told in the end. Pioli's men will move level on points with leaders Inter unless the unthinkable happens and they squander this two-goal lead.22:33
82'
Saelemaekers, like Hernandez, has made a huge impact from the bench. He showed some good footwork to get away from a couple of Venezia players and made the right choice by playing in Hernandez.22:31
82'
GOOOOAAALLL!!! MILAN 2-0 VENEZIA!! Super sub Hernandez adds to his earlier assist by firing in a second goal for Milan to seal the three points. Saelemaekers carried the ball past two players and found Hernandez in acres of space to his left, setting up the full-back to hammer the ball past Maenpaa.
Goalscorer Diaz is replaced by Kessie as Milan look to see out the victory.22:28
81'
Tessmann is on and Vacca off as the visitors make another substitution.22:27
80'
Milan look as though they have this game under control now that they are ahead. The hosts are still probing for a second, but they are no longer under pressure thanks to Diaz's strike.22:30
78'
SAVE! Hernandez puts his foot through a free-kick from range and Maenpaa makes his first save of the match.22:25
77'
Saelemaekers takes the ball past a few opposition players and a frustrated Caldara feels he is left with no choice but to stick out a leg and halt the Milan attacker's run. He is rightly cautioned.22:24
76'
Brahim Diaz's goal was his first at San Siro in Serie A in what is his 17th match at the iconic stadium. Will that prove to be enough for the Rossoneri to claim all three points today?22:24
74'
Okereke is also introduced in place of Johnsen, who has had some promising moments in this second half.22:21
74'
Zanetti turns to Mazzocchi as his side attempt to get back on level terms. Ebuehi is the player to make way.22:21
74'
Rebic is off and Pellegri on for the final 15 minutes or so. This is his first appearance since joining from Monaco.22:20
72'
Credit to Pioli for that triple substitution, plus the subsequent change in formation. Milan are looking pretty comfortable now, but they cannot afford to relax until they get a second goal.22:19
70'
Leao has a chance to shoot but turns down the opportunity to do so and spreads the ball to the left. That proves the wrong choice as Venezia deal with the cross when it eventually arrives.22:18
68'
It took Hernandez less than 10 minutes to make a difference on the game. The full-back was picked out in space and did brilliantly to find team-mate Diaz in the middle with a volleyed pass.22:16
68'
GOOOOOAAAALLL!!! MILAN 1-0 VENEZIA!! The hosts have their breakthrough goal thanks to Diaz! Bennacer lifts the ball over the Venezia defence, substitute Hernandez pulls it back with a first-time pass and Diaz helps the ball over the line from inside the six-yard box.
Milan completely dominated the first half but that has not been the case since the restart. Venezia are occasionally getting forward and are very much giving as good as they get.22:14
66'
Tonali throws himself to the ground, arguing that Busio made contact, but the referee is right to wave away the penalty appeal. Romagnoli is now back on the pitch, but he is not looking too comfortable.22:12
64'
Caldara fell on top of Romagnoli when attacking that previous corner and the Milan defender is in a bit of pain. He makes his way off the field and may not return.22:10
63'
Incredibly frustrating for Milan as Kalulu pretty much walks the ball out of play to concede another corner. Aramu whips in a great delivery but nobody in a blue shirt can get on the end of it.22:08
61'
Venezia have conceded three of their last four Serie A goals from minute 89 onwards. The latest Milan goal this season was scored by Ante Rebic against Juventus in their last match (76').22:06
59'
Saelemaekers is introduced in attack in place of Florenzi.22:07
59'
Ballo-Toure's full debut ends just before the hour, with Hernandez on in his place.22:07
59'
Pioli has clearly seen enough as he makes a triple substitution. Tomori replaces Gabbia in the first of Milan's changes.22:06
59'
Venezia are the side on top at the moment. Johnsen is left one-on-one with Kalulu but opts to take on the shot early and is well off target.22:05
58'
Vacca pulls the trigger from range and Maignan watches the ball sail wide of his target. Venezia are no longer just sitting back.22:05
57'
This is great defending from Romagnoli. He has had next to nothing to do all game, yet at full stretch he pokes the ball away from Johnsen inside his own penalty area. The centre-back had to get that spot on – and he did.22:06
55'
Milan win another corner. Tonali sends the ball in and Rebic flicks it into a dangerous zone, but Venezia do just about enough to clear their lines.22:06
53'
Peretz, who missed a good opportunity in the first half, makes way for Crnigoj.22:00
53'
The visitors make a double change. Henry replaces Forte in the first of those substitutions.22:00
52'
ANOTHER CHANCE GOES BEGGING! Rebic knocks the ball down for Diaz in a glorious position in front of goal. He is unable to control the volley and picks out the San Siro stands, rather than the back of the net.21:59
50'
WIDE! A flowing Milan move culminates in Ballo-Toure knocking the ball into the feet of Tonali to strike from 20 yards. The midfielder miscues his shot and the ball flies wide of the target.21:57
48'
Rebic is fouled by Caldara and Milan have a free-kick around 35 yards out. After a slight delay, Bennacer steps up to take it and fires the ball straight into the Venezia wall.21:55
46'
RESTART! Venezia get us back up and running at San Siro. Neither side made any changes at half-time, so it is as you were in that regard.21:52
Pioli will surely be tempted to make a change at the break, with the likes of Saelemaekers, Hernandez and Castillejo contenders to come on. As for opposite number Zanetti, he will be hoping for 45 minutes of the same from his side to claim a precious point.21:41
Milan dominated possession (69 per cent) and the shot count (eight to Venezia's three), but the sides go into half-time all square at San Siro. Rebic headed over from the hosts' only real chance of note so far, while Peretz really should have put Venezia ahead with a chance from a few yards out moments before the interval.21:38
45'+1'
HALF-TIME: MILAN 0-0 VENEZIA21:38
45'
BIG CHANCE FOR VENEZIA! Having pretty much defended for 45 minutes, arguably the best chance of the half falls Venezia's way. A corner from the left is flicked on and Peretz looks certain to help it in from a few yards, but it skims off the top of his head and goes out of play.21:35
43'
Milan's defenders have to stay alert to clear a free-kick sent into the box from the left. The longer this stays 0-0, the more confident Venezia will grow.21:31
42'
The hosts have resorted to sending a couple of crosses in from deep, which Venezia are dealing with just fine. Half-time is fast approaching at San Siro.21:30
40'
Milan are now up to 69 per cent possession and they have registered seven shots, though none of those have been on target. Venezia stand firm again to defend another cross from Leao.21:27
38'
CLOSE! Kalulu's cross from the right is glanced goalwards by Florenzi but bounces wide of the far post. Milan are doing everything other than scoring at the moment!21:26
36'
Leao causes more panic down Venezia's right as he carries the ball past a couple of players are into the penalty area. His low cross is fingertipped to safety by Maenpaa.21:25
34'
Bennacer is being allowed to dictate play, with nobody coming close to his 51 touches. Milan are enjoying their best spell of the game and Pioli would welcome a breakthrough goal right about now.21:23
32'
JUST WIDE! It really should be 1-0! Kalulu intercepts the ball down the right, bursts forward and exchanges passes with Rebic just outside the box. His first-time shot trickles inches wide of the post.21:20
30'
SHOT! Milan are starting to create opportunities now, albeit without finding the target. Florenzi peels off towards the back post and volleys Leao's cross high over the bar.21:19
28'
Tonali sends a deep free-kick into the opposition box and it is cleared away by a visiting player. Milan recycle possession but another cross, this time from the right, is also cut out.21:17
26'
CHANCE! The first opportunity of the match falls to Rebic. The makeshift striker, filling in for Ibrahimovic and Giroud, climbs highest to get to Tonali's corner but cannot keep his header on target 21:13
25'
Forte catches Gabbia in the head with a high boot and is cautioned by the referee. Gabbia looks as though he will be okay to continue after being cleaned up.21:14
24'
It has been a very opening quarter to the contest. Tonali has at least just managed to get a shot away, but it hits former Milan defender Caldara and goes out for a corner.21:12
22'
Venezia take their time over a throw high up the pitch, much to the annoyance of the home fans. They fail to keep hold of the ball and Milan will come forward again.21:11
20'
Diaz is unable to get on the end of Rebic's ball into the box. Milan need to start turning this possession into chances21:08
19'
A rare attack for Venezia comes to a disappointing end as Johnsen goes to ground before he can get a shot away. Like Bennacer at the other end a couple of minutes ago, referee Ivano Pezzuto waves away the appeals for a free-kick.21:08
17'
Bennacer is sent crashing to the floor just outside the opposition box. The referee tells the Milan midfielder to get back to his feet.21:05
16'
Milan have had 75 per cent of the ball so far but have yet to register a serious attempt. Still, the longer the game continues in this manner, surely the more likely the home side are to score.21:04
14'
Rebic flicks the ball towards Diaz, but the former Manchester City man has too many bodies in the way and Maenpaa collects.21:02
13'
Milan have lost only one of their last 19 Serie A matches against promoted sides (2-0 v Spezia last February). They have won 13 games (D5) in the process, keeping 11 clean sheets.21:00
11'
Leao initially does well to get away from his man. He looks up and has options either side, but his attempted throughball is easily cut out.21:00
9'
Milan work the ball well and it drops invitingly for Leao to shoot inside the box, but he miscontrols it and Venezia are able to clear their lines. How much longer can the visitors' backline remain firm?20:59
7'
A cross towards Leao around eight yards from goal is cut out before it reaches the Milan attacker. The hosts are starting to inject a bit more pace into their attacks now.20:54
5'
Milan have already turned over possession inside the opposition half a couple of times with their pressing. Venezia have struggled to get the ball up the field, but a cross comes in from the left that is gathered by Maignan.20:53
3'
The hosts are knocking the ball around pretty patiently in these early stages. Venezia are happy to sit back and soak up the pressure – a goalless draw would be a great result for them.20:50
1'
KICK-OFF! Milan get us under way at San Siro. Pioli's men can move level on points with leaders and bitter rivals Inter with a victory on home soil today.20:47
Milan are facing Venezia in Serie A for the first time in 7,150 days (February 24, 2002). The Rossoneri won that game 4-1 thanks to Javi Moreno's only two goals in the Italian top flight. Milan have lost only one of their 12 Serie A meetings against Venezia (W7 D4) – a 2-1 defeat in November 1942.20:41
Venezia show four alterations from their most recent match – a 2-1 loss to Spezia on Sunday – including a couple of changes up top. Aramu and Forte are recalled to the starting line-up in place of benched pair Henry and Okereke. Mazzocchi and Crnigoj also make way for the visitors, with Ebuehi fielded at right-back and Peretz starting on the right wing.20:38
Pioli has made five changes to Milan's starting line-up following Sunday's draw with Juventus. Kalulu, Ballo-Toure and Gabbia come into defence in place of Tomori, Hernandez and the injured Simon Kjaer, while Bennacer replaces Kessie in holding midfield and Florenzi gets the nod over Saelemaekers further up the pitch. Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Olivier Giroud are still injured, so Rebic leads the line.20:39
Subs: Thomas Henry, Pasquale Mazzocchi, Domen Crnigoj, Daan Heymans, Bjarki Steinn Bjarkason, David Schnegg, Tanner Tessmann, Sofian Kiyine, Michael Svoboda, Filippo Neri, David Okereke, Marco Modolo.20:20
VENEZIA XI (4-4-2): Niki Maenpaa; Tyronne Ebuehi, Mattia Caldara, Pietro Ceccaroni, Cristian Molinaro (c); Dor Peretz, Antonio Vacca, Gianluca Busio, Dennis Johnsen; Mattia Aramu, Francesco Forte.20:18
Subs: Andreas Jungdal, Alexis Saelemaekers, Pietro Pellegri, Ciprian Tatarusanu, Daniel Maldini, Theo Hernandez, Andrea Conti, Samu Castillejo, Fikayo Tomori, Franck Kessie.20:16
MILAN XI (4-2-3-1): Mike Maignan; Pierre Kalulu, Matteo Gabbia, Alessio Romagnoli (c), Fode Ballo-Toure; Sandro Tonali, Ismael Bennacer; Alessandro Florenzi, Brahim Diaz, Rafael Leao; Ante Rebic.20:15
Venezia's first top-flight campaign in close to two decades has not got off to the best of starts as they have lost three of their opening four games. With only that solitary win away at Empoli to their name, Paolo Zanetti's charges will start this contest in the relegation zone.20:13
Milan finished second last season and have made a positive start to the 2021-22 campaign with three wins and a draw in their first four games. After seeing off Sampdoria, Cagliari and Lazio, Stefano Pioli's men battled back for a 1-1 draw at Juventus last time out.20:11
Welcome to our live text coverage of the Serie A match between Milan and Venezia at San Siro.20:09
Dove si gioca la partita:
Stadio: Giuseppe Meazza Città: Milano Capienza: 80074 spettatori20:09
Milan - Venezia is a match of 5 day of the season Serie A 2021/2022. The match will be 22 semptember at 18:30 in the stadium Giuseppe Meazza in Milano. Referee of Milan - Venezia will be Ivano Pezzuto with the help of Salvatore Longo e Filippo Bercigli. At VAR there will be Luca Banti.
Currently Milan is 2° in the standings with 13 points (thanks of 4 wins, 1 draw and 0 defeats); while Venezia is 18° in the standings with 3 points (thanks of 1 vittoria, 0 pareggi and 4 sconfitte). Milan scored 10 goals and conceded 2; Venezia scored 3 goals and conceded 10.
At home Milan scored 9 points (3 wins, 0 draws and 0 losses). Away Venezia scored 3 points (1 win, 0 draws and 2 losses). Milan in the last three matches of the season challenged Lazio, Juventus and Venezi obtaining 7 points thanks to 2 wins, 1 draw and 0 losses. Venezia in the last three matches of the season challenged Udinese, Empoli and Spezi obtaining 3 points thanks to 1 win, 0 draws and 2 losses. In the last match Milan was against Venezia winning 2-0 while Venezia was against Spezia losing 1-2. The best scorer of the team coached by Stefano Pioli is Brahim Díaz with 2 goals while the best scorer of the team coached by Paolo Zanetti is Pietro Ceccaroni with 1 goals.
Milan and Venezia competed 24 times in the league. In the previous matches Milan won 14 times, Venezia won 4 times while the number of draw was 6.
These are the statistics of the two teams in the matches played in the season:
Where to see Milan-Venezia You can see the live match Milan-Venezia here on Virgilio Sport starting 18:30 CET of 22 semptember. Discover who will broadcast live Milan - Venezia between Sky and Dazn.
