MILAN: AC Milan warmed up for the Champions League and next weekend’s Milan derby in the best possible fashion with Saturday’s 4-0 hammering of Venezia in Serie A, while Juventus stumbled to a goalless draw at Empoli.

Pressure had been building on Milan over the international break after just two points from their first three matches, and thousands of hardcore fans gathered outside the San Siro to show their support ahead of a big week for the seven-time European champions.

Paulo Fonseca’s team responded to that backing by sweeping sorry Venezia aside, racing into a four-goal lead within 29 minutes and cruising through the rest of the match.

Milan are eighth but will face Liverpool on Tuesday night in better spirits following their first win of the season, with a massive clash with champions Inter Milan coming a week on Sunday.

Inter have won the last six derbies, the most recent victory also securing last season’s Scudetto.

“It was important to win, and win in this manner, to give the players belief in what we’re doing,” said Fonseca to Sky.

“This week I’ve been thinking about Liverpool and Inter. I know how important the derby is... I know that we’ve not won the last few derbies, we’re working to hange that.”

Theo Hernandez gave Milan the lead just two minutes in with a shot from a tight angle which deflected off Venezia keeper Jesse Joronen’s legs and into the net.

The hosts doubled their lead 14 minutes later when a low corner reached Youssouf Fofana, who flicked it past the near post and into the net.

Things got worse for Venezia when Joronen brought down Tammy Abra­ham after spilling the ball in the box, allowing Christian Pulisic to convert the penalty in the 25th minute.

Four minutes later, it was Abrah­am’s turn to convert from the penalty spot after a VAR review confirmed Joel Schingtiennes’ foul on Rafael Leao.

Meanwhile, Thiago Motta’s Juventus underwhelmed in Tuscany, creating almost nothing in a performance that offered little to worry PSV Eindhoven, who visit Turin on Tuesday evening.

Dusan Vlahovic went closest for Juve four minutes after half-time when he shot straight at Devis Vasquez after being sent racing towards goal.

And Juve had Federico Gatti to thank for a goal-saving tackle in the fifth minute of stoppage time which denied Emmanuel Gyasi what would have been a shock winner.

“Let’s put this match behind us and focus on Tuesday. PSV are a good team who play good football, we’ll need to be at our best,” said Motta.

Earlier, debutant Samuel Iling-Junior saved Bologna ahead of their first ever match in the Champions League with a brilliant late equaliser in their 2-2 draw at Como.

Bologna played one tie in the old European Cup in 1964 and host Shakhtar Donetsk on Wednesday without a win this season under new coach Vincenzo Italiano. Italiano’s team have three points from their first four matches while Como have two.

Published in Dawn, September 16th, 2024