Gonçalo Ramos breaks the deadlock in the second half before an own goal seals AC Milan’s second straight Serie A victory
Serie A Matchday 2 | Final: AC Milan 2-0 Venezia | San Siro, Milan | Friday, August 28, 2026
AC Milan made a winning return to San Siro as Rúben Amorim’s side defeated Venezia 2-0 to maintain its perfect start to the 2026-27 Serie A season. Gonçalo Ramos scored his first competitive goal for the Rossoneri in the 69th minute before Venezia defender Halhal turned the ball into his own net late in the match.
The scoreline suggests a comfortable evening for Milan, but Venezia made the hosts work for the three points. The visitors defended with discipline, created several opportunities of their own and kept the match goalless for more than an hour. Milan ultimately needed patience, attacking quality and a decisive contribution from substitute Alexis Saelemaekers to break through.
Emotional Start at San Siro
The match began with an emotional tribute to Franco Baresi, with Milan supporters paying respect to the legendary defender before kickoff. The occasion also marked Amorim’s first Serie A home match at San Siro since taking charge of the club.
Milan started aggressively. Ramos had an opportunity inside the opening minute before missing the target, while Cissé also failed to convert an early chance. The Portuguese striker continued to look dangerous, but Venezia goalkeeper Filip Stanković repeatedly demonstrated excellent positioning and reflexes.
Venezia, meanwhile, refused to simply sit back. Adams tested Mike Maignan in the 19th minute, while Yeboah came close shortly afterward as the visitors found openings around Milan’s defensive structure.
Stanković Keeps Venezia Alive
Milan controlled large periods of the first half but struggled to find the final touch.
Ramos had another effort saved in the 33rd minute, while De Winter headed wide from a corner before Samuel Chukwueze saw his effort comfortably gathered by Stanković. The Venezia goalkeeper was becoming increasingly important to his team’s chances of taking something from the game.
The visitors also threatened after the restart. Hainaut fired narrowly wide early in the second half, warning Milan that the game could still swing in either direction.
Milan responded through Yunus Musah, whose right-footed effort struck the crossbar in the 55th minute. Ramos then went close with a header before Strahinja Pavlović also tested the Venezia defense.
Ramos Finally Breaks the Deadlock
The breakthrough finally arrived in the 69th minute.
Milan launched a quick counterattack and Saelemaekers provided the decisive pass, finding Ramos in space. The Portuguese forward kept his composure and produced an angled left-footed finish beyond Stanković.
It was a significant moment for Ramos, who had already shown plenty of movement and attacking intent but had been unable to find the net earlier in the match. His first competitive goal for Milan gave the home side the advantage they had been chasing for more than an hour.
The goal also highlighted the value of Amorim’s substitutions. Saelemaekers had come on in the 59th minute and quickly made a difference, providing the assist that changed the direction of the game.
Venezia Push for an Equalizer
Going behind forced Venezia to take greater risks, and Stroppa’s side continued to look for a way back.
Yeboah tested Maignan from distance, while Milan had opportunities to put the match beyond doubt. One promising move saw Chukwueze release Saelemaekers, but the Belgian could not bring the ball under control with the goal in sight.
Milan’s defense remained composed, however, and the hosts eventually found the second goal that ended the contest.
Halhal Own Goal Seals Milan Victory
The decisive second goal came in the 89th minute.
Jashari was played through and attempted to beat Stanković with a right-footed finish. The goalkeeper made the initial save, but the rebound struck Venezia defender Halhal and deflected into the net.
It was an unfortunate ending for Venezia after a disciplined performance for much of the evening, while Milan finally had the cushion it needed to see out the match comfortably.
Four minutes of added time produced no further goals, confirming Milan’s second consecutive league victory.
What It Means for Milan
The result gives Milan six points from two matches, following the 2-1 away victory over Torino on the opening weekend. The Rossoneri have also started the campaign with two wins and a clean sheet against Venezia.
For Amorim, the biggest positive is not simply the perfect record but Milan’s ability to win a difficult match without losing control. Venezia created problems, yet Milan remained patient and eventually found the quality needed to unlock the visitors.
Ramos’ first goal is another important development. The striker had several opportunities before finally finding the net, and his movement gave Milan a consistent threat through the middle.
Venezia Show Fight but Leave Empty-Handed
Venezia can take some encouragement from the performance despite the defeat.
Coach Giovanni Stroppa said after the match that he was satisfied with his team’s overall display, pointing to the balanced nature of the contest and the chances Venezia created. He also acknowledged disappointment with the way his team conceded the second goal.
The main problem remains finishing. Venezia created enough moments to make Milan uncomfortable but could not turn those opportunities into goals. Bašić also acknowledged afterward that finding a way to score remains an area the team needs to improve.
Key Performers
Gonçalo Ramos — AC Milan: The Portuguese striker was persistent throughout the match and eventually delivered the breakthrough with a composed finish.
Alexis Saelemaekers — AC Milan: His introduction changed the game. He supplied the assist for Ramos and provided greater attacking energy after coming off the bench.
Mike Maignan — AC Milan: Made several important interventions, particularly when Venezia threatened from distance.
Filip Stanković — Venezia: One of Venezia’s standout performers, making several saves that kept the visitors in the match until the final stages.
Final Score
AC Milan 2-0 Venezia
Goals: Gonçalo Ramos 69′, Halhal own goal 89′
Milan now have maximum points from their first two Serie A matches, while Venezia remain without a point after defeats against Lecce and Milan.
AC Milan vs Venezia Preview: Team News, Prediction & Kick-Off
AC Milan vs Venezia brings Serie A Matchday 2 to San Siro on Friday night, with Ruben Amorim’s Milan looking to build on an encouraging opening-day victory and Venezia searching for a response after beginning their return to Italy’s top flight with defeat.
Milan opened the 2026-27 Serie A campaign with a 2-1 victory away at Torino, giving Amorim a winning start in his first league match as the club’s new head coach. Venezia, meanwhile, lost 2-0 at home to Lecce, leaving them without a point heading into their first major away test of the season.
The match is particularly significant for Milan because it will be the team’s first competitive home game of the new campaign at San Siro. It is also the club’s first home match without legendary former captain Franco Baresi, adding an emotional dimension to an already important night.
AC Milan vs Venezia: Match Details, Kick-Off Time and Venue
Competition: Serie A 2026-27
Match: AC Milan vs Venezia
Date: Friday, August 28, 2026
Venue: San Siro, Milan
Kick-off: 8:45 PM CEST
Matchday: Serie A Matchday 2
The match is scheduled for 8:45 PM CEST, with San Siro hosting Milan’s first home league fixture of the season.
For viewers in the United States, the match is scheduled for the afternoon, with coverage available through the Serie A broadcast ecosystem.
Milan Begin Amorim Era With Positive Momentum
Ruben Amorim could hardly have asked for a better competitive beginning to his Milan tenure.
The Rossoneri travelled to Torino for their opening league match and returned with a 2-1 victory, giving the Portuguese coach three points immediately and providing early evidence that his tactical ideas can translate into results.
Milan also showed attacking intent during the match, with 19 shots coming from inside the penalty area, according to the club’s pre-match statistics. No other side managed at least as many as 13 such attempts on Matchday 1.
One of the biggest stories from the opening victory was teenage forward Alphadjo Cissé.
The 19-year-old scored against Torino and immediately attracted attention with his performance. His goal made him the youngest player to score for Milan since Patrick Cutrone in 2017.
Cissé now has an opportunity to make another piece of Milan history.
If he scores against Venezia, he would become the youngest player in the three-points-for-a-win era to score in each of his first two Serie A appearances for Milan. The club’s official statistics put the potential record at 19 years and 310 days, surpassing the ages at which Mario Balotelli and Andriy Shevchenko achieved the feat.
First San Siro Match Gives Amorim Extra Responsibility
The atmosphere surrounding Friday’s game will be different from Milan’s opening fixture.
Amorim has already acknowledged the significance of leading Milan at San Siro for the first time.
The Portuguese coach said he expects a difficult match and stressed the importance of pressing well, running hard and using possession intelligently. He also emphasized humility, concentration and the need to develop a stable playing identity across the season.
That message reflects an important part of Milan’s current project.
The club is not simply looking for early victories. Amorim is attempting to establish a recognizable style while also returning Milan to the upper end of Serie A and European football.
The opening win at Torino provided a strong first step.
A convincing home performance against Venezia would make the start even more encouraging.
Pulisic Still Short of Full Fitness
Milan’s squad is not completely free of concerns.
According to the club’s official preview, Christian Pulisic is still short of full fitness, while Rafael Leão and Pietro Terracciano are unavailable for the match.
Pulisic’s fitness is particularly relevant because of his importance to Milan’s attacking structure.
The American international offers creativity, movement and an ability to contribute goals from wide or advanced positions. His absence or limited involvement could therefore influence how Amorim structures the attack.
Leão’s absence removes another major attacking outlet.
That places additional responsibility on players such as Cissé and Milan’s other attacking options to provide penetration and finishing quality.
Venezia Looking for a Major Response
Venezia arrive at San Siro after a disappointing opening weekend, but their 2-0 loss to Lecce does not tell the entire story.
The newly promoted side showed promise during the first half, creating opportunities and testing Lecce goalkeeper Wladimiro Falcone.
The problem came after the interval, when Venezia faded and eventually suffered defeat.
Manager Giovanni Stroppa is now asking his players to show the same courage against a much stronger opponent.
Venezia used a 3-5-2 formation in their opening match, and Stroppa indicated that his team intends to maintain its identity at San Siro rather than simply sit back and defend.
The coach has also acknowledged the quality of Amorim’s Milan while noting similarities between the two teams in their defensive structure and general approach.
That could make the tactical battle particularly interesting.
Venezia’s Key Players
Venezia’s squad contains several players capable of making the match difficult for Milan.
Filip Stanković will have a major role in goal, especially if Milan reproduce the volume of penalty-area shooting they generated against Torino.
At the back, Armel Bella-Kotchap provides physical presence, while Gianluca Busio can help Venezia progress the ball through midfield.
Up front, Jay Adams and Kelvin Yeboah represent the main attacking threats identified by Milan’s official preview.
Venezia will need those attacking players to be efficient.
Against Milan, opportunities may be limited, so failing to convert early chances could allow the Rossoneri to take control.
AC Milan vs Venezia Head-to-Head Record
Recent history is strongly in Milan’s favor.
The Rossoneri have won their last five Serie A matches against Venezia, scoring at least two goals in each victory.
Milan have also kept a clean sheet in their last four meetings with Venezia in the competition.
The most recent meetings produced convincing Milan victories:
- Venezia 0-2 AC Milan — April 27, 2025
- AC Milan 4-0 Venezia — September 15, 2024
- Venezia 0-3 AC Milan — January 9, 2022
- AC Milan 2-0 Venezia — September 23, 2021
Milan are also unbeaten in their last 10 home Serie A meetings with Venezia, winning eight and drawing two.
That makes San Siro an especially difficult venue for the visitors.
The Tactical Battle
The central tactical question is whether Venezia can prevent Milan from controlling the match.
Amorim wants his team to press aggressively and use possession intelligently. If Milan can win the ball high up the pitch, Venezia could spend long periods defending close to their own penalty area.
That would create a difficult situation for Stroppa’s 3-5-2.
The Venezia midfield must remain compact without becoming too passive. If the wing-backs are pushed too deep, Milan could effectively create a five-man defensive line and isolate the forwards.
However, Venezia’s best opportunity could come from transitions.
Milan’s attacking approach naturally leaves space to exploit when possession is lost. If Venezia can recover the ball and quickly release Adams or Yeboah, the visitors could create dangerous counter-attacking situations.
Key Battle: Milan’s Attack vs Venezia’s Back Three
Milan’s attacking movement could determine the match.
The Rossoneri are likely to attempt to stretch Venezia’s defensive structure by moving players into wide areas before attacking the spaces between the outside center-backs and wing-backs.
Cissé is particularly interesting in this regard.
After scoring against Torino, the teenager enters the game with confidence and could become one of the most important attacking players for Milan if he starts again. His directness gives Amorim another way to disrupt Venezia’s defensive organization.
Venezia’s back three must therefore remain disciplined.
Any unnecessary gap could allow Milan’s attackers to receive the ball in dangerous positions.
Player to Watch: Alphadjo Cissé
The spotlight will naturally fall on Cissé.
The 19-year-old made a dream start to his Serie A career with his goal against Torino, and another goal would give him a remarkable opportunity to enter Milan’s record books.
More importantly, his performance could influence Amorim’s selection decisions.
Milan invested heavily in strengthening the squad during the summer, but Cissé’s emergence offers something different: a young player who can provide energy, unpredictability and long-term potential.
A strong performance against Venezia would further strengthen his case for regular first-team involvement.
Player to Watch: Gianluca Busio
For Venezia, Busio could be crucial.
Milan are likely to have more possession, meaning Venezia’s midfield must remain composed whenever it wins the ball.
Busio’s ability to connect defense and attack could determine whether Venezia simply survive pressure or actually create problems for Milan.
If he can find the forwards early, Venezia could exploit the spaces left behind Milan’s attacking players.
What Milan Need to Improve
Despite winning at Torino, Amorim will know that his team still has areas to improve.
Milan’s attacking numbers were encouraging, but controlling matches for the full 90 minutes is a different challenge.
The Rossoneri allowed Torino to remain competitive and dropped deeper toward the end of their opening game. Against Venezia, Amorim will want greater control after taking the lead.
The priority should be maintaining pressure without becoming unnecessarily exposed.
A second goal would also be valuable.
Venezia’s opening-day defeat showed that they can create chances, and allowing the visitors to remain within one goal could give them confidence late in the match.
What Venezia Need to Do
Venezia’s game plan should be straightforward but difficult to execute.
First, they need to survive Milan’s opening pressure.
Second, they need to remain compact between the lines.
Third, they must make their counter-attacking opportunities count.
The visitors cannot afford to give Milan repeated opportunities around the penalty area.
Their opening match against Lecce demonstrated that they can create chances, but their inability to sustain their performance after halftime ultimately proved costly.
Against Milan, Venezia will need to maintain concentration for the entire match.
AC Milan vs Venezia Prediction
The statistics point strongly toward Milan.
The Rossoneri have the home advantage, enter the match with three points already secured and have dominated this fixture historically.
Venezia are also coming off a 2-0 defeat and face a Milan side eager to make a positive first impression in front of its home supporters.
However, the visitors should be capable of creating moments, particularly if Milan’s attacking structure leaves space during transitions.
Prediction: AC Milan 2-0 Venezia
Milan’s recent record against Venezia makes another clean-sheet victory a reasonable prediction. The Rossoneri have kept Venezia scoreless in each of their last four Serie A meetings, while Milan’s opening-day attacking numbers suggest they should create enough chances to win again.
Why This Match Matters
It may only be Matchday 2, but Friday’s game represents an important early checkpoint for both clubs.
For Milan, it is the first opportunity for Amorim to experience the San Siro atmosphere as the club’s Serie A head coach.
A victory would give Milan a perfect six points from two matches and build momentum around the new project.
For Venezia, the objective is more immediate.
The club has returned to Serie A after winning promotion from Serie B and must collect points wherever possible if it is to avoid another relegation battle.
Taking anything from San Siro would therefore represent a major achievement.
Final Verdict
Milan start as clear favorites.
Their opening-day victory, attacking quality, home advantage and dominant recent record against Venezia all point toward another three points for Amorim’s team.
Venezia’s best chance is to remain compact, frustrate Milan and attack quickly whenever possession is recovered.
But if Milan reproduce the attacking intent they showed against Torino, the visitors could spend much of the night defending.
The first San Siro chapter of the Amorim era should therefore end with another Milan victory.
Final prediction: AC Milan 2-0 Venezia.
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