AC Milan delivered a resounding statement at San Siro on December 28, 2025, brushing aside Hellas Verona 3-0 in a Serie A matchday 17 clash that saw Christian Pulisic reclaim a share of the league scoring lead. The win, orchestrated by coach Massimiliano Allegri’s tactical nous, not only showcased Milan’s attacking firepower but also underscored their determination to seize the Serie A summit.
Coming into the contest, Milan was riding a wave of league momentum, despite a recent 2-2 draw against Sassuolo and a disappointing 2-0 Super Cup loss to Napoli. The Rossoneri were missing key figures—Rafa Leão, Matteo Gabbia, and Santi Gimenez were all sidelined through injury—forcing Allegri to shuffle his lineup. As a result, the dynamic duo of Christian Pulisic and Christopher Nkunku was tasked with leading the line, supported by a midfield featuring Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Luka Modric, and Adrien Rabiot. Koni De Winter joined Fikayo Tomori and Strahinja Pavlović in central defense, while Alexis Saelemaekers and Davide Bartesaghi provided width in the 3-5-2 setup.
Hellas Verona, meanwhile, entered San Siro buoyed by back-to-back wins over Atalanta and Fiorentina, but their preparations were hampered by the suspension of coach Paolo Zanetti and several key players. Daniel Mosquera got the nod up front, with Gift Orban waiting in the wings, as the Gialloblù sought to build on their recent upturn in form and edge away from the relegation zone.
The opening exchanges saw Milan assert their authority, controlling possession and probing Verona’s defensive lines. It didn’t take long for the breakthrough to arrive. Just before halftime, Milan won a corner, and Adrien Rabiot rose highest to flick on a Luka Modric cross. The ball fell kindly at the back post, where Christian Pulisic—unmarked and brimming with confidence—volleyed home a left-footed shot to the high center of the net. The San Siro faithful erupted, and with that strike, Pulisic notched his eighth Serie A goal of the campaign, moving level with Inter’s Lautaro Martínez atop the scoring charts.
Pulisic’s goal was more than just a statistical milestone. After missing a month with a hamstring injury, the American’s return to form has been nothing short of sensational. His tally of 10 goals in just 15 total appearances this season has reignited Milan’s title ambitions and provided a crucial spark in the final third. “We will need to put in an organised team performance, with patience. Verona are a tough side to face, they have quick players and attack well: we’ll need to be solid at the back,” coach Allegri had emphasized in his pre-match press conference. His team delivered on that promise and then some.
Verona, for their part, struggled to mount any sustained threat in the first half. Despite flashes from Cheikh Niasse and Victor Nelsson, the visitors found themselves stifled by Milan’s compact defensive shape and the safe hands of Mike Maignan in goal. The match’s intensity was evident, with the referee Michael Fabbri—assisted by Gamal Mokhtar, Alex Cavallina, and VAR Paolo Silvio Mazzoleni—keeping a close eye on a flurry of fouls and tactical substitutions as both teams sought to gain an edge.
The second half belonged to Christopher Nkunku. The French forward, who had been lively throughout, doubled Milan’s advantage from the penalty spot. The penalty was awarded after Victor Nelsson clumsily fouled Nkunku in the area, and Nkunku made no mistake, dispatching a right-footed shot low into the bottom left corner. Verona’s resistance was crumbling, and Milan’s confidence soared.
Nkunku wasn’t finished. Minutes later, he pounced again, this time finishing from close range after a sharp attacking move. His brace put the result beyond doubt and sent a clear message to the rest of Serie A: Milan mean business. Nkunku’s performance, alongside Pulisic’s clinical display, highlighted the attacking depth Allegri has at his disposal—even in the absence of several regular starters.
Substitutions flowed as the match wore on. Allegri handed minutes to David Odogu, Zachary Athekame, Samuele Ricci, Youssouf Fofana, and Ardon Jashari, while Verona introduced fresh legs in the form of Amin Sarr, Gift Orban, Abdou Harroui, Suat Serdar, and Nicolás Valentini. Despite Verona’s efforts, including late attempts from Niasse and Valentini, Milan’s defense held firm, preserving Maignan’s clean sheet and ensuring a comfortable afternoon for the Rossoneri faithful.
The match statistics further underscored Milan’s dominance. The hosts controlled possession, generated a flurry of corners, and kept Verona’s attack at bay with timely interventions from Tomori, De Winter, and Pavlović. Loftus-Cheek and Modric orchestrated play from midfield, while Rabiot’s energy and aerial presence proved pivotal at both ends of the pitch.
The victory propelled Milan two points clear at the top of the Serie A table, at least temporarily, with second-place Inter still to play later on Sunday. The current standings saw Inter on 33 points (with one less match), Milan and Juventus at 32, and Verona languishing near the bottom with just 12 points. Every point is vital as the league campaign intensifies, and Milan’s emphatic display sent a warning to their title rivals.
For Verona, the defeat was a setback after recent progress, but the absence of key personnel and their coach was always going to make this a tall order. Still, their spirited run in the previous weeks suggests they are capable of clawing their way out of danger once their squad is back to full strength.
Looking ahead, Milan will aim to consolidate their position at the summit when they travel to face Cagliari on Friday, January 3, 2026. With Pulisic and Nkunku firing on all cylinders, and Allegri’s tactical acumen steering the ship, the Rossoneri’s title chase is gathering serious momentum. As for Verona, they’ll be eager to regroup and refocus, knowing that the season is far from over and opportunities to climb the table still abound.
On a day when San Siro witnessed a blend of resilience, clinical finishing, and tactical mastery, Milan’s supporters left the stadium with renewed hope. The Rossoneri’s quest for Serie A glory is very much alive, and with performances like this, the road ahead promises plenty of drama and excitement.
