AC Milan secure tense victory over Verona to climb to second in Serie A

Milan began the match slowly versus a faltering Verona side, appearing as though they were still shaken by their recent run of three losses in four games, capped by a disheartening 3-0 home defeat to Udinese in their previous outing.

Fans of the Rossoneri were kept waiting until the 32nd minute before Adrien Rabiot managed the match's initial effort on goal, firing a rather weak shot directly at Lorenzo Montipò.

The away team were thrilled when Rabiot delivered a much sharper finish later in the opening half upon receiving another chance.

Launching his move from deep inside his own half, the seasoned midfielder latched onto Rafael Leão’s expertly placed pass and coolly lifted the ball past the advancing keeper.

Massimiliano Allegri’s squad still needed dependable Mike Maignan to pull off a vital save to ensure Verona stayed behind at half-time, as the shot-stopper quickly denied Rafik Belghali during a threatening one-versus-one encounter.

Facing a deficit, Verona’s caretaker manager Paolo Sammarco faced a challenging team discussion at the break, aware that his players required a significant rally to aid their slim chances of avoiding relegation.

After coming on at half-time, Ioan Vermeșan nearly influenced the game right away, testing with a pair of bold long-range attempts, the initial one prompting Maignan to dive and parry low while the follow-up sailed narrowly past the upright.

In the dying stages of the match, Matteo Gabbia believed he had sealed a win for Milan by nodding home from near point-blank range, but the linesman’s flag ruled it out.

Alexis Saelemaekers later saw a shot in the closing moments desperately blocked on the goal line, yet happily for Milan, they did not need another strike to secure their 11th straight head-to-head triumph, solidifying their spot within the leading quartet.

Meanwhile, at the foot of the standings, the Gialloblù remain anchored at the bottom, a daunting 10 points clear of the drop zone with only five fixtures remaining.