English Premier League
Goncalo Ramos scores first Milan goal as Venezia beaten at San Siro
AC Milan began their home campaign with a 2-0 victory over Venezia as Goncalo Ramos scored his first goal for the club and a late own goal completed a deserved win at San Siro.
The result followed Milan’s 2-1 victory over Torino in the opening round, with Luka Modric and Davide Bartesaghi brought into the starting line-up in place of Ardon Jashari and Pervis Estupinan.
Adrien Rabiot and Christian Pulisic were unavailable because they had not yet regained full fitness after taking part in the World Cup. Rafael Leao, Samuele Ricci, Fikayo Tomori, Youssouf Fofana and Santiago Gimenez were also left out while negotiations over their possible departures continue.
Milan’s first home match of the season began with a tribute to club great and former captain Franco Baresi, who died on 31 July at the age of 66.
Venezia arrived in Milan after a 2-0 defeat by Lecce and were still without Andrea Adorante, Matias Moreno and Marin Sverko. Their manager selected Ridgeciano Haps instead of Thierry Correa.
Milan made the stronger start and came close to taking the lead when Ramos failed to make clean contact with a cross from Ruben Loftus-Cheek. The Portugal forward then beat the offside trap with another run, but Venezia goalkeeper Filip Stankovic produced an excellent save.
Venezia also carried a threat, with Akor Adams forcing Mike Maignan into a strong stop. Milan responded when Strahinja Pavlovic broke into the visitors’ penalty area after receiving the ball from Bartesaghi, only for Stankovic to rush from his line and clear the danger.
Pavlovic was again important at the other end, cutting out a dangerous attack from John Yeboah after a cross by Adams. Stankovic continued to keep Venezia level by saving a low effort from Ramos inside the area.
Samuel Chukwueze also tested the visitors, while Ramos sent another attempt over the crossbar. Venezia were forced into a change during stoppage time at the end of the first half when Bartol Franjic suffered a shoulder injury.
The visitors created the first notable opening after the interval, but Antoine Hainaut’s shot from Haps’ cross went across goal. Milan then went close when Yunus Musah met a cross with a powerful header from inside the six-yard box, only to see the ball strike the crossbar.
Substitute Alexis Saelemaekers made an immediate impact after coming on. He first supplied a cross towards Ramos, whose header went just wide, before the pair combined to break the deadlock.
Saelemaekers led a counter-attack and sent a clever pass through the Venezia defence. Ramos collected it before firing a left-footed shot from close range between the legs of Gianluca Busio and into the net, giving Milan the breakthrough and opening his account for the club.
Venezia tried to respond through Yeboah, but Maignan denied him. The Milan goalkeeper then raced towards the halfway line to intercept a through ball before Leon Lauberbach could go clear.
Milan secured the points in dramatic fashion late on. Saelemaekers produced another incisive pass, sending Ardon Jashari through on goal. Jashari attempted to lift the ball over Stankovic, who saved, but the rebound struck defender Redouane Halhal and deflected into the unguarded net to confirm victory for the Lombardy side.
