Flying high following their derby win in midweek, Coppa Italia finalists AC Milan aim to take that momentum into Serie A on Sunday, when they visit Venezia at Stadio Penzo.
Despite sitting only ninth in the league standings, Milan booked their place in Rome with an emphatic semi-final win; meanwhile, their hosts are fighting to avoid an instant return to Serie B.
All square following a tense first leg, Milan played out the fifth and final Derby della Madonnina of the season as they concluded their Coppa Italia semi-final against Inter Milan on Wednesday.
Both beaten in the league last week, the city rivals reconvened at San Siro, where an inspired performance by Luka Jovic saw the Rossoneri to victory – on the night and overall – and completed an unbeaten campaign against the Nerazzurri.
An impressive 3-0 win – capped off by another goal from main man Tijjani Reijnders – wrapped up a surprisingly comfortable 4-1 aggregate success and secured Milan’s place in the final.
But before meeting Bologna at Stadio Olimpico next month, Sergio Conceicao’s inconsistent side must try to finish off a sub-par Serie A campaign without suffering any more momentum-killing setbacks.
Last week, Milan lost to Lombardy neighbours Atalanta BC for the fourth time in five meetings, effectively ending any slim hopes of Champions League qualification – in fact, winning the cup represents by far their best route back to Europe.
Now five points adrift of seventh-placed Fiorentina, several other clubs stand between them and a place in continental competition for next season.
Though Conceicao’s reign – which may conclude as soon as June, if persistent rumours are to be believed – started with victory over Inter in the Supercoppa final, a summertime reset seems to be on the cards.
Meanwhile, Venezia’s post-season activities can still go one of two ways, as recent results have kept dreams of top-flight survival alive.
Apparently dead and buried in February, Eusebio Di Francesco’s side have lost only one of their last eight matches – albeit, drawing six – to move within a single point of safety.
Beating rock-bottom Monza even ended the Lagunari’s 14-game wait for a win, but they let back-to-back victories slip through their grasp last weekend, as fellow strugglers Empoli stole a 2-2 draw.
Having fumbled the most points from leading positions throughout Serie A (28), Venezia are still deep in danger – but, with five games to go, they could yet scramble out of the drop zone.
Beaten 4-0 at San Siro in September, the Arancioneroverdi have lost their last four meetings with Milan while conceding 13 goals in the process, so the odds will be against improving their position on Sunday.
