VIS PESARO v MILAN FUTURO: MATCH PREVIEW

Milan Futuro are set to play their final away match of the calendar year against an in-form Vis Pesaro, a fixture that will bring the first half of the regular season to an end. Kick-off is scheduled for 15:00 CET on Sunday 15 December, and here is our Match Preview to introduce the clash.

LATEST FROM MILAN FUTURO
The Rossoneri's deserved victory over Gubbio last time out means they now sit just one point off 15th place, the first position above the playout zone. Recently, away from the Chinetti, Bonera's side have produced some good performances against Pontedera and Campobasso, while there was also the victory against Torres in the Coppa Italia. A tough match is in store for the Rossoneri, who, after the game in Pesaro, will finish 2024 with a home game against Virtus Entella (currently third in the table). There's plenty of desire to do well, and Coach Bonera will be able to choose from a group where no one is out through suspension or walking the disciplinary tightrope.

These are Coach Bonera's comments on the eve of the match: "We have performed well against teams that are higher than us in the standings. I see the lads' desire to do well in this complicate league, and they are doing all the right things. Vis Pesaro is an excellent team with interesting footballing ideas; we will have to face them with the right mentality. I'm sure we will put on a great performance - we want to continue to show what we have achieved in recent matches."

LATEST FROM VIS PESARO
Our opponents are in excellent form having won three in a row (against Rimini, Lucchese and SPAL) and picked up 19 points from their last eight matches, a tally that has propelled them up the table and towards the Serie C national playoffs. At home, they've only lost once all season - against Ternana in September - and conceded just five goals. Under Coach Stellone, they have a squad with a good mix of experience and youth. Centre-back Tonucci, former Inter man Obi, and the attackers Nicastro (he's scored five goals so far this season and, along with Cannavò and Palomba, is one booking away from suspension) and Pucciarelli are all experienced heads, and they're complemented by the likes of young Croatian goalkeeper Vuković - who has eight clean sheets so far - Coppola (a defender on loan from Pisa) and Obinna (a winger on loan from Venezia), the latter of whom has been a key figure for the team recently.

Ahead of the game, former Frosinone man and Vis Pesaro midfielder Luca Paganini had the following to say: "We mustn't underestimate anyone. Milan Futuro have young players with quality, and we'll need to produce a strong performance. Like always, we're preparing for the match well and will take to the pitch with the aim of putting on a good show at our stadium, an important one."

WHERE TO WATCH  MILAN FUTURO ON TV
In Italy, the match will be shown live on TV via Sky Sport and NOW. The coverage via Instagram, the AC Milan Official App and acmilan.com shouldn't be missed. 

LATEST FROM SERIE C
Mauro Gangi will take charge of Vis Pesaro v Milan Futuro. Gangi has already refereed our opponents this season (Vis Pesaro 3-0 Arezza) and previously encountered the Rossoneri colours in the Coppa Italia Primavera in 2022/23 (AC Milan 4-0 Spezia). Rizzello and Leotta will be his assistants, while Rashed will perform the role of fourth official.  

Matchday 19 in Serie C Group B kicked off with Pineto 1-1 Rimini on Friday. On Saturday, the following fixtures are scheduled: Legnago 0-1 Ascoli (15:30 CET), Sestri Levante v Carpi (17:30) and Campobasso v Pescara (19:45). The remaining fixtures will be played on Sunday: Pontedera v Perugia, Ternana v Virtus Entella, Torres v Lucchese and Vis Pesaro v Milan Futuro will take place at 15:00 CET, while Arezzo v Pianese and Gubbio v SPAL will be played at 17:30.

The table: Pescara and Ternana (-2) 39; Virtus Entella 37; Torres and Vis Pesaro 32; Arezzo 29; Rimini* 28; Pianese, Campobasso, Pineto* and Ascoli* 24; Perugia 22; Gubbio and Carpi 21; Lucchese and SPAL (-3) 17; Pontedera and Milan Futuro 16; Sestri Levante 13; Legnago Salus* 12. (* = one more match played)

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