SOLID AWAY PERFORMANCE SEALS THREE POINTS
Serie A
It was time to fight and step up without worrying about the current emergency, the strength of the opposition or all the potential pitfalls in the match. At the Bentegodi, AC Milan turned up and were at their best to win 2-0 with Krunić and Dalot both scoring their first goals. The goals came in each half on a big afternoon in Serie A as a solid, organised and focused side turned up ready to fight. That was exactly what was required in order to get back to winning ways following the difficulties of the match on Wednesday night against Udinese. The team needed a result as we enter a key stage of the season and with Ibra, Theo, Bennacer, Rebić and Çalhanoğlu all out. Tonali and Kjaer remained on the bench but Pioli’s side displayed heart, aggression and focus. At a time of adversity, the side demonstrated the right mentality and a sense of togetherness while individuals stepped up. From the usual Kessie to Krunić, from Dalot to Calabria along with Meïte and the centre-back partnership of Romagnoli and Tomori all doing their bits. The spirit shown was enough to bring home the three points which take the side up to 56 points and second in the table and confidence is growing ahead of the trip to Old Trafford in the Europa League.
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MATCH REPORT
After a balanced opening 15 minutes in which the sides studied one another, Milan looked to push on. In the 15th minute, an accurate Calabria cross picked out Leão in the middle of the box but his header went just over. Most of the action was in midfield and it was a Rossoneri midfielder who was able to break the deadlock. In the 26th minute, Krunić won a free kick at the edge of the area and stepped up to take it himself. He connected with it perfectly to pick out the top corner and make it 1-0 for Milan. For Rade, it was his first goal in Serie A in a Rossoneri shirt. After the goal, confidence began to flow and Milan found more energy, looking dangerous in the 32nd minute when the Bosnian picked out Leão who fired over from the edge of the area.
The second half began with the Rossoneri doubling the lead thanks to another great piece of play. The move began with Saelemaekers playing in Dalot who created space for himself by shaping to shoot before firing a powerful strike into the top corner to make it 2-0. Like with Krunić, it was the Portuguese’s first Serie A goal for Milan. The Rossoneri then began to control the game with Jurić making changes in an attempt to rescue something late on for Verona. The hosts had two chances with a left-foot Dimarco shot going behind for a corner off Calabria. From that corner, Ceccherini headed just off target. Ceccherini again and then Faraoni had sights of goal from subsequent corners. On the break in the 88th minute, Krunić’s right-foot effort went into the arms of Silvestri and that would be the final moment of action as Milan successfully brought home the points.
MATCH DETAILS
VERONA 0-2 AC MILAN
VERONA (3-4-2-1): Silvestri; Magnani, Günter (58' Dimarco), Ceccherini; Faraoni, Tameze, Veloso (58' Ilić), Lazović; Barák (54' Bessa), Zaccagni (54' Salcedo); Lasagna (74' Favilli). Subs.: Berardi, Pandur; Çetin, Dawidowicz, Lovato; Sturaro, Udogie. Coach: Jurić.
AC MILAN (4-2-3-1): Donnarumma; Calabria, Tomori, Romagnoli, Dalot; Kessie, Meïte; Saelemaekers, Krunić, Castillejo (78' Hauge); Leão. Subs: A. Donnarumma, Tătărușanu; Gabbia, Kalulu, Kjær; Díaz, Tonali; Roback. Coach: Pioli.
Referee: Orsato from Schio.
Goal: 27' Krunić (M) , 50' Dalot (M)
Booked: 26' Magnani (V), 93' Bessa (V).
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