That concludes our commentary of the Serie A fixture between Hellas Verona and Milan! We hope you’ve enjoyed it!
Verona remain at home to host Torino next Saturday, while Milan welcome Atalanta to San Siro in one week’s time.
Milan slay the demons of their past and emerge from the Marc’Antonio Bentegodi with all three points after a Tonali-led comeback inspires the Rossoneri to the win. The Italy international thought he’d got proceedings underway in the 16th minute but a disallowed goal for offside saw the score remain 0-0. Faraoni’s far-post header would break the deadlock and put the visitors behind, but it took Tonali just 10 minutes to get his side back level with a close-range finish. Not to be denied, the midfielder would complete the comeback himself with a second strike 240 seconds after the restart - again from a Leao assist - which would give Pioli’s side an unassailable lead. A late Florenzi third would put the score beyond reach and restore Milan’s two-point lead at the top of Serie A. The loss keeps Hellas Verona ninth.
90' + 4' FULL-TIME: HELLAS VERONA 1-3 MILAN.
90' + 2' Rebic plays a lovely pass into the channel for Messias, who hunts down the ball and fires a left-footed effort from inside the penalty area that sails high above the crossbar.
90' The fourth official indicates four minutes will be added to the end of the 90 for stoppages.
88' Back after meniscus problems, Florenzi demonstrated the skill and precision that saw him play higher up the pitch earlier in his career. It’s a massive goal for Milan in their Scudetto hunt, which will surely go down to the final day.
Junior Messias
Assist
86' One substitute supplies another as Messias' lovely incisive pass allowed Florenzi a chance to strike on goal.
A. Florenzi
Goal
86' MILAN GET THEIR INSURANCE! 3-1! Florenzi comes on and seemingly secures the three points for the Rossoneri in just two minutes, playing a lovely one-two pass with Messias before breaking into the penalty area and beating Montipo with a low shot to the far post!
A. Florenzi
D. Calabria
84' A straight swap at right-back sees Florenzi replace Calabria.
Z. Ibrahimović
Rafael Leão
84' Ibrahimovic is sent on for Leao with under 10 minutes remaining as Pioli looks to hold the lead.
83' Caprari looks to help his side get back level with a good delivery from Verona’s corner-kick but Gunter sends his free header over the crossbar.
81' Bennacer whips in a corner from the right looking for Rebic but Sutalo makes his presence felt immediately, winning the battle for the ball over his compatriot to clear his lines.
B. Šutalo
F. Ceccherini
79' Ceccharini won't be able to see out the remainder of the match as Sutalo is brought on in his place.
78' Play is stopped temporarily for Ceccherini, who has gone down with a bit of cramp after an aerial duel with Messias. The centre-back is looking to get to his feet as quick as possible to prevent a delay, but he’s limping significantly.
76' Messias has scored in both his Serie A matches against Verona: both goals have been netted in the previous league season with Crotone.
74' Caprari’s corner from the left is hooked in looking for Barak but Tomori gets between the forward and the ball to clear the danger temporarily.
K. Lasagna
G. Simeone
72' Tudor opts to replace his striker, sending Lasagna on for Simeone.
I. Ilić
Yellow Card
70' Messias tracks back to help Calabria dispossess Lazovic, which prompts Ilic to lunge in and catch the Milan full-back, stopping him in his tracks. It’s a yellow card for the Verona midfielder.
I. Bennacer
R. Krunić
68' Pioli replaces Krunic with Bennacer in an attempt to shore up the middle of the pitch with just under 25 minutes remaining.
M. Hongla
N. Casale
66' Casale makes way for Hongla with Verona making two alterations at once.
F. Depaoli
D. Faraoni
66' Depaoli comes on for Faraoni as Tudor makes a change at wing-back.
65' Leao manages to dig out a shot from a standing position on the left edge of the penalty area, which almost catches Montipo napping at his near post. The goalkeeper manages to do just enough to palm the effort away before Casale clears it out for a throw-in.
A. Rebić
O. Giroud
63' Rebic is on for Giroud as Piolo makes two changes in the attack.
Junior Messias
A. Saelemaekers
62' Milan make two changes just after the hour, with Messias replacing Saelemaekers in the first alteration.
60' Verona squander a real chance after forcing Milan to defend their own 18-yard box as Tameze sends his shot high over the crossbar despite both time and space to better measure his effort.
58' Caprari works a corner short to Lazovic and receives a pass back but the eventual cross is blocked straight into touch.
56' Tomori rises highest to connect with Hernandez’s set-piece delivery but the centre-back fails to direct his effort towards goal - giving Montipo a chance to restart play from a goal-kick.
55' Leao is nudged over by Casale as Verona continue to struggle against the pace and power of the Portugal international. It’s a free-kick for Milan deep on the left wing, with Hernandez standing over the deadball.
53' Pioli knows the match is far from over as he barks instructions to his side from the technical area. Verona are more than capable of scoring goals in bunches - with Simeone alone netting 16 times in 30 starts for the Gialloblu.
51' What a match for Tonali, the Italy international who grew up as a Milan supporter. It’s his two goals that have turned the match on its head and given the Rossoneri the lead and he could have had his hat-trick already, had he not strayed offside during his chance in the 16th minute.
Rafael Leão
Assist
49' Leao's explosive pace and eye for a pass gets him another assist - again setting Tonali up for a goal.
S. Tonali
Goal
49' IT’S TONALI AGAIN! 2-1 MILAN! The midfielder absolutely cannot be stopped today, once again getting on the end of Leao’s pass across the face of goal to tuck the ball home at the far post! It was an almost 70 metre run from the Portugal international to set up the chance, following Caprari’s corner at the other end!
48' Lazovic again gets the better of Calabria after a lovely switch of play from Tameze but Kalulu comes across to help his captain and sheppard the ball out for a corner.
46' Verona get the match restarted from the kick-off!
Pioli will need to decide whether a point away at Verona is enough for his Milan side, or if it will be worth it to gamble as the match goes on. With Diaz and Rebic both available, Pioli certainly has the required quality on the bench in order to change a game - however there is also a risk of leaving gaps exposed in the back. Bennacer’s calm presence in midfield could also be a benefit, with Kessie picking up an earlier knock. As for Verona, the match is certainly there to be won if they can continue to hit clinically on the counter - with Lasagna an option at forward should Tudor wish to provide more support to Simeone.
A breathless first half at the Marc’Antonio Bentegodi comes to a close with Verona and Milan level at 1-1, though it could really be any score. The Rossoneri came out of the blocks quickest in full recognition of the necessity for three points but a number of gilt-edged chances were denied by fantastic Montipo interventions. Tonali thought he had found the breakthrough after 16 minutes but was denied by a VAR review, which deemed the midfielder to be in an offside position during the build-up. It would prove a sliding-doors moment as the hosts took the lead seven minutes from time after a blistering counter-attack was capped off by a simple Faraoni header at the far post. It looked as though history would repeat itself in Verona but Tonali’s finish three minutes into injury time brought the two sides level with a half left to play.
45' + 4' HALF-TIME: HELLAS VERONA 1-1 MILAN.
Rafael Leão
Assist
45' + 3' Leao is credited with the assist after his powerful drive and dangerous pass across the face of goal provided Tonali a chance to strike on goal.
S. Tonali
Goal
45' + 3' THE MILAN SUPPORTER FINDS THE GOAL! 1-1! Not to be denied nearly 30 minutes after his earlier disallowed effort, Tonali manages to make it stick this time - turning Leao’s square pass across the face of goal past Montipo from close range while falling on his back!
Rafael Leão
Yellow Card
45' + 1' Leao lets Faraoni know his thoughts on the earlier challenge, which provokes a bit of a scuffle. The referee is left with no other choice and also produces a yellow for the Milan winger.
D. Faraoni
Yellow Card
45' + 1' Faraoni steps into the side of Hernandez cynically after the ball had gone, sending the full-back to the ground with a thud. It’s a yellow card for the Verona captain, who also engages in a bit of afters with Leao following the booking.
45' Hernandez puts a corner-kick into the six-yard box looking for the imposing figure of Giroud but Montipo manages to claw the ball away from his goal.
44' Ilic charges through the back of Tonali and gives away a free-kick deep on the right wing which Milan opt to play short in order to get the match restarted quickly.
42' Milan have under five minutes left in the half to pull back level, after Faraoni’s goal somewhat against the run of play broke the deadlock in favour of the hosts. It’s going to be a nervy remainder of the match for Pioli’s side, who can still finish the match week in first place with a tie.
40' This is the 60th match in Serie A between Verona and Milan: 10 wins for the Gialloblu (the last one was back on 17th December 2017, 3-0), 21 draws and 28 Rossoneri wins, including four in the last six matches (D2).
D. Lazović
Assist
38' Lazovic's lung-bursting run from deep on the left wing earns him an assist on the opening goal.
D. Faraoni
Goal
38' VERONA TAKE THE LEAD! 1-0! Caprari receives the ball in midfield and waits for the overlapping run of Lazovic, who gets past Calabria to receive the incisive pass. The wing-back gets into the penalty area and chips a cross to the far post for Faraoni, who finishes the move with a simple header!
36' Simeone genuinely thought he had scored after bursting through the heart of Milan’s defence to latch onto the end of Barak’s pass. Under pressure from Tomori the striker manages to squeeze out a shot but he’s only able to hit the side netting!
34' Tomori’s clearance from inside his own penalty area is met by a towering Ceccherini header in midfield, which looks to play Simeone through on goal. Quick thinking by Maignan extinguishes the fire though, racing off his line to claim the loose ball ahead of the striker.
32' Kessie drags Ilic to the ground to give the hosts a free-kick but Ilic’s delivery is poor - failing to find a team-mate and sending it well over the crossbar.
30' Krunic curls the set-piece to the far post but Leao is unable to control the delivery before managing to win a corner-kick at the last moment.
29' Calabria is caught by Lazovic on the right wing outside Hellas Verona’s penalty area - giving Milan a chance to threaten the hosts’ penalty area from a set-piece.
28' Calabria pokes possession away from Lazovic and passes it forward for Krunic, who strides into the space ahead of him and wires a shot that narrowly misses the far corner.
26' Faraoni is in a spot of bother after going down under pressure from Giroud. Play is stopped momentarily for the medical staff but the Hellas Verona captain should be capable of continuing.
24' CAPRARI GOES WIDE! Leao’s loss of possession in the penalty area is exploited by Faraoni, who drives down the flank and puts a cross towards the penalty spot for Caprari. The forward makes great contact with his volley but fails to find the target.
22' Giroud leaps and meets Hernandez’s outswinging corner but the striker cuts a frustrated figure after failing to get enough power behind his header, allowing Montipo to make a simple catch.
20' Milan are thoroughly in control of the match as the first 20 minutes comes to a close, with a number of opportunities spoiled by Montipo at the last possible second. It’s been a positive start from the Scudetto hopefuls but they’ll need to make the most of their chances eventually.
18' WONDERFUL FOOTBALL BUT A BETTER SAVE! Calabria charges forward and combines with Tonali in the penalty area with the midfielder laying off a lovely pass to his team-mate. The captain breaks through and has a low strike at goal but the foot of Montipo denies the Rossoneri!
16' MILAN SCORE BUT IT’S OFFSIDE! A long ball launched over the top finds the chest of Tonali, who takes it down well and fends off Ilic before slotting a shot in the far corner but after a VAR intervention, the goal is chalked off for offside! It remains 0-0!
14' WHAT A SAVE! Saelemaekers shapes his body and whips a lovely cross into the penalty area, finding the head of the rising Krunic with pin-point accuracy. The midfielder sends his powerful effort towards goal but a diving Montipo does just enough to tip it over the crossbar!
12' Simeone steps inside from a position on the left wing and curls a right-footed effort towards goal, providing Maignan with an easy catch.
10' Gunter charges forward to lead Hellas Verona on a counter-attack but he isn’t able to work enough space for a cross after finding Caprari, allowing Calabria to block the delivery out for a throw-in.
8' Hernandez has a go at goal from distance, sending his effort curling just wide of the goalkeeper’s right-hand post.
7' Lazovic steps away from Calabria and fires a cross into the penalty area but Kalulu stoops low to head the ball away temporarily.
5' Hernandez’s outswinging corner is batted away by the well-placed Ilic.
4' Leao charges forward towards the penalty area and is brought down by Tameze’s sliding challenge, however the referee is happy with the contact and awards Milan a corner for their efforts.
3' Tomori launches a long pass over the top of the defence for the run of Leao but the attempted delivery is easy for Montipo to come off his line and collect.
1' Milan get the match underway from the kick-off!
Milan make two changes to the XI that narrowly beat Fiorentina 1-0 seven days ago. Krunic replaces Diaz behind Giroud, while Saelemaekers is preferred over Messias on the right wing.
Hellas Verona make two alterations to the starting line-up that beat Cagliari 2-1 last Saturday. Tameze steps up into midfield which allows Gunter to start in defence replacing Hongla, while Depaoli is dropped for Lazovic.
MILAN SUBS: Ciprian Tatarusanu, Antonio Mirante, Fode Ballo-Toure, Alessio Romagnoli, Alessandro Florenzi, Matteo Gabbia, Ismael Bennacer, Brahim Diaz, Tiemoue Bakayoko, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Ante Rebic, Junior Messias.
MILAN XI (4-2-3-1): Mike Maignan; Davide Calabria, Pierre Kalulu, Fikayo Tomori, Theo Hernandez; Sandro Tonali, Franck Kessie; Alexis Saelemaekers, Rade Krunic, Rafael Leao; Olivier Giroud.
HELLAS VERONA SUBS: Matteo Cancellieri, Miguel Veloso, Fabio Depaoli, Gianluca Frabotta, Elisa Boseggia, Kevin Lasagna, Mateusz Praszelik, Martin Hongla, Bosko Sutalo, Alessandro Berardi, Panagiotis Retsos, Mattia Chiesa.
HELLAS VERONA XI (3-4-2-1): Lorenzo Montipo; Nicolo Casale, Koray Gunter, Federico Ceccherini; Marco Davide Faraoni, Adrien Tameze, Ivan Ilic, Darko Lazovic; Antonin Barak, Gianluca Caprari; Giovanni Simeone.
With 15 minutes to go before kick-off, let’s take a look at how the two sides will be lining up - starting with our hosts!
Milan make the trip east to the Marc’Antonio Bentegodi, fully aware of the historical significance of Fatal Verona. In both 1973 and 1990 the Rossoneri had their Scudetto ambitions denied late in the season by dropped points in Verona - allowing Juventus and Diego Maradona’s Napoli to win the title in those seasons. One point back of Inter but armed with the tie-breaker, Stefano Pioli’s team will need to shirk the shackles of history if they are to win a first league title since 2011/12.
Hellas Verona’s hopes of qualifying for a European competition next season are hanging by a thread, with Igor Tudor’s side seven points back of sixth-placed Roma. The Gialloblu will need to notch wins in each of their last three games as well as hope for help from elsewhere if they wish to feature in a UEFA tournament for the first time since 1987/88.
Hello and welcome to our LIVE commentary of the Serie A fixture between Hellas Verona and Milan!
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