AC Milan edged out Hellas Verona with a tight 1-0 win at the San Siro on Saturday night, securing three invaluable points as they strive for upward momentum in the Serie A standings. Santiago Gimenez scored the lone goal of the match, demonstrating the kind of momentary brilliance needed to break down Verona's resilient defense.
After experiencing frustration with inconsistent performances, including their recent 1-0 defeat by Feyenoord in the UEFA Champions League, Milan made tactical adjustments for this match. Head coach Sergio Conceicao opted for rest for key players such as Rafael Leao and Christian Pulisic, who were both not at full fitness, and absented Fikayo Tomori due to suspension. This led to the introduction of Joao Felix and Riccardo Sottil as part of the forward line.
The game, which kicked off at 20:45 CET, saw Milan come out with palpable determination to secure the win needed to bolster their position. The Rossoneri's initial attempts at goal struggled to penetrate Verona's deep-lying defense during the first half. The match was marked by several missed opportunities, including Yunus Musah’s overhead volley which sky soared over the bar during first-half stoppage time, leaving Milan still searching for the breakthrough.
Verona, under coach Paolo Zanetti, presented their own challenges, having experienced recent setbacks like their 5-0 defeat to Atalanta. With Daniele Ghilardi suspended, Ondrej Duda returned to bolster their midfield, yet their performance against Milan exposed weaknesses not sufficiently addressed.
The first real moment of worry for Milan came just minutes after the whistle when goalkeeper Mike Maignan struggled to catch Duda’s strike, resulting instead with the ball scraping the roof of the net. Milan was put under pressure by Verona’s quick counterattacks, but they managed to galvanize their efforts toward the goal.
Some exhilarating moments marked the encounter—particularly when the scoreboard finally moved. The breakthrough arrived 75 minutes through the well-coordinated play involving Rafael Leao and the substitute, Alex Jimenez. It began with Jimenez skillfully lifting the ball from the edge of the penalty area, giving Leao the chance to volley delicately over the opposing defenders. Gimenez awaited at the back post, nodding the ball home to secure the lead.
This marked Gymenez’s second consecutive goal within the Serie A league, showcasing his growing influence under pressure. With this goal, Milan finally broke through Verona's defensive efforts after repetitive attempts over the hour mark.
The encounter didn't come without challenges—both teams had their share of cards, reflecting the intensity of the fixture. Milan's midfielder Youssouf Fofana received caution early on, showcasing the tension as both sides competed for control.
Despite late efforts from Hellas Verona to equalize, Milan managed to hold onto their one-goal advantage, with Maignan performing solidly when called upon to make routine saves. This victory not only relieved some of the pressure from their previous loss but also brought Milan closer to challenging for European qualification places as the Serie A season enters its final stages.
With this triumph, AC Milan inches up to seventh place with 41 points, with their sight set on making significant progress as they prepare for upcoming contests, including the important Champions League playoff second leg against Feyenoord scheduled for Tuesday.
Overall, the night may have been fraught with tension, yet it proved to be another landmark moment for Milan, reaffirming their resolve to resurrect their fortunes this season. If they can build on this performance, it might just be the springboard they need to challenge the league's frontrunners.