PERUGIA v MILAN FUTURO: MATCH PREVIEW

More than 20 years have passed since the Rossoneri colours were present on the pitch at the Stadio Renato Curi. It's a stadium that evokes fond memories and which we're now returning to in a different guise. Perugia v Milan Futuro, our final away fixture of October, will take place on matchday 11 in Serie C Group B, with Bonera's side aiming to bounce back after home defeats to Pianese and Legnago Salus. Here is our Match Preview to introduce the clash.

LATEST FROM MILAN FUTURO
The Rossoneri's issues in defence continue: while Coubis is back from suspension, Jiménez and Ballo-Touré (plus Minotti) are all unavailable for disciplinary reasons. It means that Coach Bonera's choices are limited, especially when it comes to the full-back positions. The team have a midweek match against Pineto coming up on Wednesday 30 October (ticket information here), something which also needs to be taken into account. It's a complicated situation, but the table is tight and there's plenty of desire to pick up a positive result.

LATEST FROM PERUGIA
After a slow start - one win in their opening seven matches - Perugia have gone up a gear in October, beating Lucchese (4-0) and Ascoli (1-0) and suffering a narrow defeat to Virtus Entella, who are flying high in the table. It means that the Grifoni, who finished fourth in 2023/24, currently sit in the playoff zone on 13 points. In their most recent outings, Coach Formisano has alternated between a three and four-man defence. Former Sampdoria striker Montevago already has six goals this season, while former Udinese and Watford player Angella, the team captain, is a very experienced player in the centre of defence. Bartolomei is one booking away from suspension.

Coach Formisano shared his thoughts on the eve of the match: "It will be a difficult and complex game, which will come with its own challenges. Their league position is a bit deceiving, we're talking about a team with bags of talent that in all of their defeats - usually marginal - have conceded goals sporadically, showing an identity and the desire to maintain control of the game. Milan Futuro are young, capable and play freely. We expect them to be aggressive and wanting to control possession. We will be ready for them".

HOW TO WATCH MILAN FUTURO ON TV
In Italy, the match will be shown live on TV on Sky Sport and NOW at 12:30 CET. Don't miss out on coverage via the Rossoneri Instagram, acmilan.com and the AC Milan Official App.

LATEST FROM SERIE C
The referee for the game will be 28-year-old Jules Roland Andeng Tona Mbei, who will be assisted by Mambelli and Cantatore. Grieco will perform the role of fourth official.

Matchday 11 in Serie C Group B kicked off on Friday 25 October with Pianese 3-1 Gubbio, Ternana 1-1 Rimini and Vis Pesaro 4-0 Carpi. Three fixtures are scheduled for Saturday: Campobasso v Sestri Levante (15:00 CEST), Legnago Salus v Torres (15:00 CEST) and Arezzo v SPAL (17:30 CEST). On Sunday, after Perugia v Milan Futuro, the following games will take place at 17:30 CET: Pineto v Ascoli, Pontedera v Virtus Entella and Lucchese v Pescara. 

The table as it stands: Pescara* 23; Ternana° 22; Virtus Entella 21; Arezzo and Torres 19; Campobasso 17; Pianese° and Vis Pesaro° 16; Gubbio° 15; Rimini° 14; Perugia 13; Lucchese 12; Carpi° 11; Pontedera 10; Sestri Levante 9; Ascoli and Pineto 8; SPAL (-3) 7; Legnago Salus and Milan Futuro* 6. (*= one game in hand; °= one extra match played)

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