Venezia face several selection challenges as they prepare for Monday’s crucial derby match with Hellas Verona. The team’s leading scorer, Joel Pohjanpalo, is reportedly on the verge of joining Serie B side Palermo, leaving a significant gap in the attacking lineup. Additionally, the defence is plagued by injuries, with Michael Svoboda out for the season and uncertainty surrounding the availability of Giorgio Altare and Marin Sverko due to flexor and muscular issues, respectively.
To address these defensive concerns, wing-backs Antonio Candela and Ridgeciano Haps may be called upon to fill in, as they did in the previous match. The team will also be without Richie Sagrado, Alfred Duncan, and Domen Crnigoj. However, recent signings Cheick Conde and Alessio Zerbin are in contention for their debut starts, potentially bringing fresh energy to the squad.
Despite the potential loss of Pohjanpalo, who has been one of the top-scoring Serie A debutants this season alongside Roma’s Artem Dovbyk, Venezia will face a Verona side led by another prolific newcomer, Casper Tengstedt. The Danish striker is expected to spearhead Verona’s attack at Stadio Penzo.
Verona’s manager Paolo Zanetti also faces selection dilemmas, with Ondrej Duda and Pawel Dawidowicz suspended for the match. Duda’s absence could pave the way for the return of Reda Belahyane to the starting lineup, a midfielder who has reportedly caught the eye of Chelsea. The visiting team will continue to be without long-term absentees Martin Frese, Juan Cruz, and Abdou Harroui due to injuries.
Venezia (3-5-2): Stankovic; Candela, Idzes, Haps; Zerbin, Ellertsson, Nicolussi Caviglia, Busio, Zampano; Oristanio; Pohjanpalo
Hellas Verona (3-4-1-2): Montipo; Magnani, Coppola, Ghilardi; Tchatchoua, Serdar, Belahyane, Lazovic; Suslov; Sarr, Tengstedt
