Hellas Verona vs. AC Milan: Key Issues That Will Shape Serie A Game

After beating Chievo by a 2-0 margin, AC Milan now travel to the Bentegodi to take on the other Verona-based outfit in Hellas Verona.

Both sides are tied in the Serie A standings with 11 points after their first six rounds, with Milan having only lost to Juventus so far in the new campaign.

Hellas Verona will look to continue on last season's fine form, having added even more experienced players with Mexico international Rafa Marquez and former Real Madrid and Barcelona striker Javier Saviola.

With all the issues surrounding the Rossoneri, here are the most important ones that will shape the battle on Sunday. 

The Fernando Torres Dilemma

Mario Carlini / Iguana Press/Getty Images

Filippo Inzaghi is already faced with an interesting dilemma when choosing his front line. Fernando Torres has been virtually anonymous in his last two league appearances after scoring a fantastic header against Empoli.

In the club's next two matches, against Cesena and Chievo Verona, the Spanish striker failed to get anything going. Granted, he didn't receive excellent service, but he always seemed to move away from the ball instead of venturing out to the midfield to retrieve it.

If Torres doesn't start, Inzaghi could opt to go with Jeremy Menez as a false nine yet again. The wide positions would be taken up by Stephan El Shaarawy and Keisuke Honda. 

How Milan Plan to Stop Luca Toni

Tullio M. Puglia/Getty Images

Luca Toni is set to lead the line for Hellas Verona yet again. He has only managed one goal so far this season after netting 20 times last year.

Despite this, his size always makes him a threat in the air or as a poacher picking up the loose scraps in the box.

Milan has suffered at the back, especially when defending set pieces. Last season, Toni managed a brace against Milan's back line and could be in for another treat on Sunday.

Alex and Adil Rami are the two center backs that give Inzaghi's men the best chances of successfully defending in the air. 

Keisuke Honda's Recent Emergence

Pier Marco Tacca/Getty Images

After failing to settle in at Milan during his first six months at the club, Keisuke Honda has finally shown what he can do with a bit of form. He has scored four goals so far this season and has been an integral part of Inzaghi's starting XI.

According to TuttoMercatoWeb (via Football Italia), Honda's brother said that it was the club that changed, not his sibling. 

He went on to say that Honda has tremendous respect for Inzaghi and that the coach is a consummate professional. 

Other than learning the Italian language, Honda has finally had time to settle into the rigors of Italian football and will continue to start on the right wing for Milan. 

Albertazzi Offers Inside Look

Tullio M. Puglia/Getty Images

Milan full-back Michelangelo Albertazzi, who spent time on loan at Hellas Verona, offered an inside look at his former team ahead of the Rossoneri's trip to the Bentegodi.

Albertazzi told Milan Channel (via Football Italia) that Verona are very tough to beat and will look to close themselves down defensively and then break on the counter. 

This approach works well with Luca Toni, as he's often used as the tower to hold up play and allow the wingers to get forward. 

Albertazzi continued his warning, saying that Toni must not get any room to settle the ball, as the 37-year-old striker thrives on making the most out of a small chance around the box. 

Milan's Formation?

Maurizio Lagana/Getty Images

Filippo Inzaghi has switched between the 4-2-3-1 and his favored 4-3-3 this season, opting to go with three attacking midfielders at times behind the lone striker.

With the 4-3-3, he has even used Jeremy Menez as a false nine. The Frenchman has succeeded at coming back to the midfield to retrieve the ball and then going on one of his signature mazy runs where he looks to take on half of the defensive line.

By using Menez more centrally, Stephan El Shaarawy has space to cut in from the left, where he likes to try a curling attempt with his right foot. A similar situation occurs on the right wing, as the naturally left-footed Honda can do the same.

If Inzaghi opts to use Torres, the attack takes on a very different shape, and one of the previously mentioned attackers will have to take a seat on the bench to open the match.

Follow @TheCalcioGuy