AC Milan secured a vital victory against Hellas Verona, thanks to an impressive assist from Youssouf Fofana that set up Tijjani Reijnders for the opening goal. This win was crucial for the Rossoneri, who had struggled recently with only one victory in their last five Serie A matches. The team faced significant injury challenges, missing key players such as Alvaro Morata, Christian Pulisic, and Ruben Loftus-Cheek, leading to the decision to drop Theo Hernandez from the starting lineup.
Filippo Terracciano was deployed in a new midfield role, while Reijnders took on the position of trequartista. Verona, who ended a four-match losing streak with a recent win against Parma, also faced setbacks as Abdou Harroui was ruled out for the remainder of the season due to injury.
Before the match, players from both teams walked onto the field accompanied by seven rescue puppies from a local shelter, highlighting a charitable initiative.
The game began with some controversy as Milan’s early appeals for a penalty were dismissed when Jackson Tchatchoua’s arm was deemed to be in a natural position during an acrobatic volley from Rafael Leao. Samuel Chukwueze had a long-range effort saved, but it was Mike Maignan who made the first significant save against Tomas Suslov’s attempt.
Unfortunately for Milan, Rafael Leao had to leave the field due to a muscular issue and was replaced by Theo Hernandez. Terracciano nearly scored against his former club with a powerful shot that was tipped over by Verona’s goalkeeper Lorenzo Montipò.
Milan broke through in the second half with a well-executed play initiated by Fofana’s clever through ball to Reijnders, who finished expertly into the far corner for his fourth goal of the season. Maignan continued to keep Verona at bay with crucial saves, including one from Suslov shortly after Milan’s goal.
Goals: Reijnders 56 (M)
Verona (3-5-1-1): Montipò; Dawidowicz (46′ Daniliuc), Coppola, Ghilardi; Tchatchoua, Belahyane (80′ Tengstedt), Duda, Kastanos (60′ Serdar), Lazovic (73′ Mosquera); Suslov; Sarr (46′ Livramento)
Milan (4-2-3-1): Maignan; Emerson Royal (89′ Tomori), Gabbia, Thiaw, Jimenez; Fofana, Terracciano; Chukwueze (70′ Calabria), Reijnders, Leao (32′ Theo Hernandez); Abraham.
