AC Milan managed to secure a narrow 1-0 victory against Hellas Verona at the Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi on December 20, 2024. Despite the win, the performance was described as lackluster, with both teams seeming more focused on physicality than creativity. The Rossoneri's Tijjani Reijnders scored the decisive goal just ten minutes after halftime, delivering what turned out to be the only highlight of the match.
Reijnders' goal came from what can only be described as a superb effort. After 55 minutes, he received a brilliant through-ball, expertly maneuvered around the Verona defense, and unleashed a strike past goalkeeper Marco Montipò. This goal marked his fourth of the Serie A season, equaling his previous record from his time with AZ Alkmaar, highlighting his growing importance to the squad as he builds on his tally, which now stands at eight goals across all competitions this season.
Both teams displayed offensive struggles during the match, with AC Milan managing 22 attempts but unable to convert many of them, leading to their expected low xG of 0.84. Verona, sitting precariously just one point above the relegation zone with only 15 points post-match, failed to generate quality chances, illustrating their persistent offensive woes this season.
The Rossoneri's head coach, Paulo Fonseca, praised the defense, noting their third clean sheet over the last five league matches. "While we need to improve our attacking play, the defensive structure is coming together," he noted post-match. The solid performances from Matteo Gabbia and Malick Thiaw have established them as key defenders, helping to improve the team’s overall stability at the back.
Youssouf Fofana also had a significant impact on the midfield battle, being fouled multiple times as he aggressively competed for possession. He won nine of his twelve duels, playing a central role both defensively and offensively. His performance earned him praise, and he was described as the engine of the team, embodying the physical battle dominating the match.
Verona came off their own high from beating Parma 3-2 just before facing Milan, but their inability to replicate such form against tougher opposition again showcased the difficulties they face this season. Coach Marco Baroni commented after the match, "We need to be more clinical and create more opportunities to be competitive against teams like AC Milan." With players like Duda and Sarr struggling for form, the Gialloblu are hopeful for improvement to avoid slipping closer to relegation.
This loss extends Verona's home struggles against AC Milan, marking their sixth consecutive defeat against them at home. Historically, AC Milan have dominated this fixture, winning 15 out of the last 25 encounters. Looking forward, both teams face pressing challenges; Milan will have to find offensive prowess against tougher competitors, including imminent clashes with Roma and Juventus, for which improvement is necessary.
With their victory against Verona, AC Milan's fans remain cautiously optimistic, hoping the results will spur the team to greater performance levels as they aim to climb the Serie A standings. The three points take AC Milan to eighth place but reflect the need for consistency moving forward, especially as they gear up for games against tougher opponents. Conversely, Hellas Verona must quickly switch focus to rectify their situation to avoid falling deep within the relegation battle.
Both fanbases await the next series of matches to see if their teams can rally and improve upon the season's turbulent ebb and flow.
