Newly promoted Hellas Verona face a tough task at the start of their Serie A campaign, having been pitted against title contenders AC Milan.

The Rossoneri have already been in competitive action, having shared spoils with PSV Eindhoven in the first leg of the Champions League play-offs, but they will want to start to new league championship with a win.

One-time Serie A champions needed no less than 11 years to return to the top flight, but having finally escaped Serie B, they will give their best not to leave the elite division any time soon.

Club chiefs were aware the squad had to be properly reinforced if Gialloblu were to mount a serious survival challenge and they duly delivered.

In came seasoned Serie A players Luca Toni, Bosko Jankovic, Massimo Donati and Romulo, while Samuele Longo, Nikolay Mihaylov and Ezequiel Cirigliano also arrived.

As a result, Verona enjoyed a bright start to the season, defeating Palermo away in Coppa Italia, so no doubt they go into the Milan game full of confidence.

And while home win pays 4.90 (39/10) at Sportingbet, Gialloblu are 1.57 (4/7) with William Hill to score at least one goal.

Alejandro Gonzalez is doubtful with tonsillitis, but Jacopo Sala, Alessandro Agostini and Daniele Ragatzu are definitely out.

Probable starting line-up (3-5-2): Mihaylov – Cacciatore, Maietta, Gonzalez – Romulo, Halfredsson, Donati, Jorginho, Martinho – Toni, Cacia.

Following a tough battle with Fiorentina, Milan eventually secured a top 3 finish and final Champions League berth last term, but the Rossoneri will be hoping to go one step further this season.

The San Siro outfit have failed to lure any high-profile signings this summer, but that could prove to be a blessing in disguise as the team won’t need extra time to gel.

After some pretty inconclusive performances in pre-season, Milan played out a 1-1 draw with PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League play-offs, with the match showing the Rossoneri were still far from the desired form.

Hence, Max Allegri’s side will have to show an improvement if they want to start the Serie A campaign with a win, even if they are 1.80 (4/5) favourites with Coral to win at Bentegodi.

The talented boss faces a genuine selection headache ahead of the trip to Verona, but it’s not as if he isn’t already used to such a scenario.

Sulley Muntari, Daniel Bonera, Giampaolo Pazzini, Gabriel and Riccardo Saponara are all unavailable, whereas Robinho, Mattia De Sciglio, Kevin-Prince Boateng and Nigel de Jong are injury doubts.

Probable starting line-up (4-3-3): Abbiati – Abate, Mexes, Zapata, Emanuelson – Poli, Montolivo, Nocerino – Niang, Balotelli, El Shaarawy.

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