Milan is back on the road to victory – but only after a great deal of hard work. The Rossoneri needed a flash of inspiration to beat Verona 1-0.
Hellas Verona had not achieved much in this Serie A season, but at least they had recently achieved an important 3-2 win over Parma Calcio. With the self-confidence gained from that, the team of coach Paolo Zanetti now went into the opening game of the 17th matchday against Milan.
And lo and behold: with focused defense and minor pinpricks from former Hertha and Cologne player Duda or from Suslov, who simply took a low shot (8th minute), the Gialloblu took a 0-0 lead into the break.
Tired Milan
Milan coach Paulo Fonseca, who once again left out captain Theo (bench) in comparison to the dull goalless draw against CFC Genoa for the club’s 125th anniversary, could not be satisfied with it at all. Especially not with the performance in attack. Here, only Samu Chukwueze (23rd) and 21-year-old Terracciano (41st) came close in the first 45 minutes.
To make matters worse, Rafael Leao was also lost to the AC team, which was already struggling with injuries (Morata was missing along with other players like Pulisic with a tonsillitis). The dribbler, who had a muscular problem, was substituted for Theo in the 32nd minute.
Fofana and Reijnders with an eye
In the second half, the Lombards put a little more effort into the day, with Samu Chukwueze reporting directly. But here both defender Lazovic and keeper Montipo were able to save (50′).
The decisive moment of the game came in the 56th minute: after a dream through ball from Fofana, Reijnders, who was not offside, broke through, appeared free in front of goalkeeper Montipo and scored with a well-placed shot into the right corner. Milan went on to hold on to their 1-0 lead, although Verona scored via the tricky Suslov (58′, 59′, 90+4). Maignan, among others, was in the way here.
And so Milan bagged a much-needed 1-0 victory, with which the Lombards at least re-established some contact with the top. Both teams are challenged again in 2024 after the Christmas holidays: Milan host the struggling Roma on December 29 (Sunday, 8:45 p.m.), while Verona play in Bologna the next day (8:45 p.m.).