Sandro Tonali bagged a brace on his 22nd birthday from Rafael Leao assists before Alessandro Florenzi secured Milan’s comeback victory away to Hellas Verona to retain their Serie A leadership.
The pressure was on after Inter’s comeback win against Empoli, meaning a win was needed to retain the two-point lead at the top of the table. Simon Kjaer was the only absentee, though Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Ante Rebic and Alessandro Florenzi were fit for the bench. Pawel Dawidowicz remained on the Hellas treatment table. Rade Krunic and Alexis Saelemaekers stepped in for Brahim Diaz and Junior Messias.
Lorenzo Montipò fingertipped a Krunic header over the bar from the Saelemaekers cross, then Sandro Tonali controlled a long Mike Maignan ball over the top to score with an angled drive, but it was ruled offside after a long VAR check.
Moments later, Davide Calabria completed a give-and-go with Tonali to force a save from Montipò’s legs, while Krunic blasted just over the bar.
The first real Verona chance came on 35 minutes, Giovanni Simeone hitting the side-netting when sent through by Antonin Barak.
However, Hellas broke the deadlock when Darko Lazovic was sent down the left and floated a ball over Simeone to find Marco Davide Faraoni’s header at the back post.
Calabria had a strike charged down, but on the stroke of half-time 22nd birthday boy Tonali did get his goal. Leao was again decisive, flying down the left and pulling back from the by-line for Tonali to bundle over from close range.
Straight after the restart, Verona were caught completely unbalanced on their own corner kick, Leao turning on the turbo to surge forward and roll across for Tonali’s second of the game.
Leao was having a wonderful game and nearly scored one of his own, forcing a Montipò save at the near bottom corner after a good passing move.
Kevin Lasagna’s header glanced over the bar and Fikayo Tomori charged down the Caprari effort, while Davide Calabria’s scorcher stung Montipò’s gloves from distance.
Alessandro Florenzi made his comeback from knee surgery and an immediate impact, as he completed a give-and-go before rifling across Montipò into the far bottom corner for 1-3.
Junior Messias could’ve had a fourth in stoppages only to fire over when sent clear by Ante Rebic.
Verona 1-3 Milan
Faraoni 38 (V), Tonali 45, 49 (M), Florenzi 87 (M)
I told the Milan fans to trust in Leao and it would be a mistake to sell him. By far the most dangerous and unpredictable player in a good way for us. He will only get better just like Ibra did all those years ago. Messias no comment, not good enough to wear the shirt.
FORZA MILAN!!!!!!!!!!!
*to win
I would be bald and state that currently Tonali looks more promising than Barella. 100% our future captain.
Forza Milan! 4 points to go. Of course, taking nothing away from Inter and their genius coach. They will always be Winter Champions.
Forza Milan from Juve fan! You’re the lesser of the two evils 😄
@ faticigar you do realise inter are champions and have been for the last 12 months…
As long as Inter don’t win!
How sad is it for someone like @Fatecisognare a self confessed Juventus fan to be cheering on another rival. Things must be very sad in Turin these days.
I could say the same thing… Juve won 9 of the last 11 scudetti but all that matter is this one. Right now, you’re only Winter Champions and finally in a Coppa Italia final after 10 years. Enjoy your flash in the pan before re-entering the football wilderness. It’s a bit like Churchill when that Lady told him he was drunk… “and you madam, are ugly but tomorrow I’ll be sober”. Sempre Forza Juve but choosing between the plague and cholera, I’ll take cholera…so c’mon Milan.
@Fatecisognare your team have been in the European wilderness not just for decades but since the last Century. Be very careful to think that you have already won the Coppa after seeing the show on Friday.
Fatecisognare congratulations on another 4th place finish. Good consistency. 👍
@Samy Ibrahim
It is because juve are too mediocre they now became Milanisti lol. Sad state of affairs
Inter365 are you watching football? Juve have won everything in Europe and World club Cup within the last century. 9 out 11 last league titles including 4 doubles in a row which is unmatched. We can have a few seasons off. We even won the league with Sarri… That’s how easy it is to win it. What’s Inter‘s excuse? The Chesney Hawkes of Italian football. Pazza Inter because they’re hysterical and get vertigo… OK chasing but not leading. Eternal losers and in the shadow of their Milan rivals.
As a Juventino, I’m up for Milan simply for the psychological development of the young Italian players. Yes, inter have a few but they’ll soon leave. Milan historically develops home grown talent and that’s great for the Nazionale.