True, Milan did not face any powerhouse in the opening two rounds of Serie A, but regardless, Ruben Amorim could hardly have wished for a better start. And we are primarily talking about the results rather than the performances. After Torino, the San Siro giants also beat Venezia to make it two wins from two at the start of the season – 2:0. On the day when life without Rafael Leao effectively began, Alexis Saelemaekers made sure his absence was barely felt – although the Portuguese winger had not been the player he once was for quite some time. The Belgian international was in charge of operations, and his passes preceded both of Milan's goals. Last season was Saelemaekers' best in a Milan shirt, and this one could be even more productive.After three-quarters of the game had gone by, when it started to look as though nerves might begin to hold the home side back, Saelemaekers set up Milan's most expensive signing in club history. Gonzalo Ramos refused to let his first-half misses and two big chances denied by Torino keeper get to him. Instead, he produced a superb left-footed finish into the far corner, doing with his weaker foot what he had failed to do with his stronger right. For the second game in a row, it was clear that Amorim has settled on a three-man defensive unit that he intends to rely on for the bulk of the season. And Pavlović, De Winter and Mario Gila once again did an excellent job tonight.Venezia were far from harmless, but they lacked accuracy, concentration and decisiveness in the final third. They forced Mike Maignan into just two saves and never really made him sweat. Late in the game, Saelemaekers was at it again, sending Ardon Jashari racing down a motorway towards Stanković's goal. The Torino goalkeeper once again made an excellent save, but this time he was unlucky. The ball ricocheted off Raduan Halal and ended up in the net for a bizarre own goal. The Switzerland international, and midfielder Milan paid Club Brugge more than 30,000,000 euros for last June, was therefore denied his first goal for the club.SERIE A – MATCHDAY 2FridayMilan – Venezia 2-0 (0-0)/Ramos 69, Halhal 89 og/Saturday19.30: (1.65) Fiorentina (3.90) Frosinone (5.20)19.30: (3.10) Monza (3.20) Udinese (2.40)19.30: (2.30) Sassuolo (3.35) Torino (3.15)21.45: (1.23) Juventus (6.00) Parma (14.0)Sunday19.30: (2.50) Napoli (3.15) Como (3.00)21.45: (8.00) Cagliari (4.40) Inter (1.43)21.45: (2.05) Lazio (3.10) Genoa (4.05)Monday19.30: (7.00) Lecce (3.90) Roma (1.53)21.45: (1.95) Atalanta (3.50) Bologna (3.90)***odds are subject to change***
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