VICTORY IN VERONA TO STAY TOP

AC Milan produced a fantastic performance to overcome another obstacle and run out 3-1 winners against Hellas Verona this evening. Despite controlling matters from the get-go and creating several chances to open the scoring at the Bentegodi, the Rossoneri fell behind following Faraoni’s opener for the hosts. However, Coach Pioli’s men didn’t give up and responded well, equalising on the stroke of half-time. Tonali’s tap-in was vital, allowing the Diavolo to push on after the break and seal a crucial win thanks to another Tonali goal and Florenzi’s late finish on his return from injury.

On his 22nd birthday, Tonali took centre stage, producing a magnificent display on a magical evening. Leão was also fantastic, setting up the Italian for both of his goals. After matchday 36 in Serie A, AC Milan now sit on 80 points and have returned to the top of the table with just two rounds of fixtures to go. At 18:00 CEST on Sunday, the Rossoneri will face Atalanta in a huge showdown at San Siro. The aim will be to beat the team from Bergamo, and only then can they start to make calculations relating to the Scudetto. The objective is clear, and the AC Milan fans, who were once again brilliant tonight, are ready to lend their support all the way to the very end.

CHECK OUT THE GALLERY FROM HELLAS VERONA v AC MILAN

REPORT

The new-look line-up saw Krunić start in behind the forward line, while Saelemaekers also returned to the starting XI. The game got off to a break-neck pace as both sides looked to get on the front foot. The first chances of the game fell the way of the Rossoneri as Hernández fired wide from range (8') before Krunić rose to meet Saelemaekers' cross, only for Montipò to make an acrobatic save (14'). The Rossoneri thought they had opened the scoring in the 16th minute through Tonali, but it was chalked off for offside following a VAR review. Another big chance fell the way of the away side in the 19th minute when Calabria's effort from a short distance was parried by the Hellas shot-stopper. In the 23rd minute, Caprari went close with a curling effort. After Krunić had sent an effort over the bar, Simeone had Rossoneri hearts in mouths but fired into the side-netting. Verona then did open the scoring: in the 38th minute, Lazović stood it up for Faraoni to head home. The Rossoneri reacted well and equalised in injury time. In the 48th minute, Leão burst down the left and played it across the face of goal for Tonali to tap it in - there was no disallowing this one.

The second half was just as frantic as the first. Leão and Tonali picked up right where they left off; in the 49th minute, Saelemaekers kicked off the counter, and the Portuguese - unstoppable in stride - fed Tonali for another tap-in. It was end-to-end stuff. The Rossoneri kept pushing and went close in the 55th minute through Tomori. Kessie then had his shot blocked (64') before Montipò did well to keep out a wicked effort from Leão. The Gialloblù didn't give up and looked dangerous. Tameze and Lasagna caused a few issues, but the Diavolo then got back on the front foot and Calabria almost added a third. The Rossoneri finally doubled their lead as Florenzi played a neat one-two with Messias and rifled it into the bottom corner on the volley. In added time, Messias had the chance to put the cherry on top of the cake but fired off target. Full-time.

MATCH DETAILS

HELLAS VERONA 1-3 AC MILAN

HELLAS VERONA (3-4-2-1): Montipò; Ceccherini (74' Šutalo), Günter, Casale (66' Hongla); Faraoni (66' Depaoli), Tameze, Ilić, Lazović; Barák, Caprari; Simeone (72' Lasagna). Subs: Berardi, Boseggia, Chiesa; Frabotta, Retsos; Praszelik, Veloso; Cancellieri. Coach: Tudor.

AC MILAN (4-2-3-1): Maignan; Calabria (84' Florenzi), Kalulu, Tomori, Hernández; Tonali, Kessie; Saelemaekers (62' Messias), Krunić (68' Bennacer); Leão (84' Ibrahimović); Giroud (62' Rebić). Subs.: Mirante, Tătărușanu; Ballo-Touré, Gabbia, Romagnoli; Bakayoko, Díaz. Coach: Pioli.

Referee: Doveri from Roma 1.
Goals: 38' Faraoni (HV), 45'+3 e 49' Tonali (M), 86' Florenzi (M).
Booked: 45'+1 Faraoni (HV), 45'+1 Leão (M), 70' Ilić (HV).

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