Hellas Verona vs. AC Milan: result, reaction as Milan strike vital Verona victory

Sean Markus Clifford

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Hellas Verona vs. AC Milan: result, reaction as Milan strike vital Verona victory image

AC Milan defeated Hellas Verona at the Marcantonio Bentegodi Stadium tonight, in a victory that ensured that the Rossoneri returned to the top of the Serie A pile at Inter Milan's expense with just two games left of the campaign. 

In the opening 25 minutes, the Milanistas were on top in proceedings, seeing a Sandro Tonali effort harshly chalked off after a composed finish by the midfielder. Things were to take a turn for the worst for Pioli's men, as on 38 minutes Davide Faraoini nodded in a cross unmarked at the back post to put the hosts a goal to the good. 

Nevertheless, the champions elect were soon to be back on level terms on the stroke of half-time. Some great wing-play by Rafael Leao resulted in a low centre to the lively Tonali who bundled home, sparking scenes of joy amongst the sizeable AC Milan away support. 

Soon after the start of the second period, the away side took the lead. Once again, Leao was the creator, driving down the left-flank before squaring to Tonali who grabbed his second goal with a tap in at the far post. The game died down a little in the second half exchanges, with some excellent defensive work by Pierre Kalulu and Fiyako Timori denying Hellas Verona any real room for manouvre in the penalty area. 

Just as things were looking to be petering to a close, Alessandro Florenzi made sure that the three points would be heading back to the San Siro in some style. Bombing down the right hand side, the full-back unleashed a pile driver from inside the area which nestled beautifully into the bottom corner, leaving home goalkeeper Montipo with absolutely no chance. 

AC Milan could've and probably should've had a fourth late on, only for Messias to blaze over the bar in injury time despite being one on one with the goalkeeper. The referee then brought an end to the intriguing encounter, in a result which puts Milan in an extremely commanding position going into the last two games of the season. Their next opponent is Atalanta at the San Siro next Sunday, whilst Hellas Verona will host Torino a day earlier.

All round this was a great day for AC Milan, one that they may look back on with great significance should they go on to lift the Scudetto.

MORE: Serie A table: Updated 2022 standings

Hellas Verona vs. AC Milan result

  1H 2H Final
Hellas Verona  1  1    1
AC Milan  1  3    3

Goals: Faraoini (38 mins), Tonali (45 mins, 50 mins), Florenzi (86 mins)

Hellas Verona vs. AC Milan result and highlights

Full-time: AC Milan takes the all-important three points tonight, returning to the top of Serie A. That's it from us at The Sporting News' live blog, join us again next time!

90th min: Three minutes stoppage time at the end of the match. Messias fluffs his line through on goal, side-footing a shot well over the bar.

86th min: GOAL! Florenzi scores from the right-hand side of the area with a fiercely hit strike, essentially guaranteeing the three points for the visitors and a return to the top of the Serie A table. What an impact! 

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84th min: Here he comes! Zlatan Ibrahimovic replaces Rafael Leao in the latter stages of the match, he couldn't, could he? Florenzi also replaces Calabria.

83rd min: Leao nearly gets himself in on goal, only to be denied by some good covering by Tameze.

79th min: Calabria fizzes a long-range strike from 35 yards at goal, which Montipo has to palm over the crossbar. Great effort.

75th min: Kalulu and Tomori have been excellent for AC Milan in defence tonight, they will need to be on their game for the last 15 minutes as the match ebbs and flows. 

72nd min: Simeone is replaced by Lasagna, the majority of the last ten minutes have been broken up by substitutions, which will suit Milan as the side who are in front. Not a lot in the way of chances to report.

70th min: Milan looking to be the more comfortable of the two teams, can they see this one out and claim a vital win that would take them a step closer to Scudetto glory?

69th min: Bennacer on for Milan in midfield in place of Krunic. 

66th min: The hosts also decide to bring on a couple of substitutes, as Casale and goalscorer Faraoini are replaced by Hongla and Depaoli.

65th min: Leao goes close for Milan, as his near post effort is turned round the post by Montipo following a deflection. 

63rd min: Double change for the visitors as they chase a game-clinching goal. 

57th min: An overhit cross forces Mike Maignan to tip the ball over for a corner-kick to the hosts, good goalkeeping from the Frenchman.

55th min: The birthday boy is certainly having a big impact! Two goals in a game of enormous proportion for the visitors.

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50th min: GOAL! Milan takes the lead for the first time in the game, Leao carries the ball down the left-hand side before squaring to Tonali who taps into an empty net. A huge goal for the Rossoneri!

46th min: The second half now gets underway in Verona.

Half-time: An intriguing clash at the Marcantonio Bentegodi Stadium so far, who will go on to claim the all-important three points in the second half?

Half-time: All-square here at the interval between Hellas Verona and AC Milan, what a game!

45th min: GOAL MILAN! Great wing-play by Leao results in Sandro Tonali bundling the ball home, some crazy scenes here!

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45th min: Three minutes stoppage time at the end of the half. 

44th min: AC Milan trying to work a way back into this match, Saelemaekers fires a deflected strike from outside the area that goes behind for a corner.

38th min: GOAL VERONA! The hosts upset the apple cart as Faraoini converts at the back post with a header leaving Maignan with no chance. AC Milan will need to show some character if they are to come back into this game. 

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35th min: Verona nearly opens the scoring, Simeone is played through on the angle but can only hit the side-netting. 

27th min: Krunic lets fly from outside the area, only narrowly missing the top-right corner. Strong passages of play from both sides here!

24th min: Tame shot from Verona forward Simeone on the turn barely troubles Maignan, he should have really done better there.

23rd min: Near miss from Verona as Caprari fires just wide from an intelligent cutback, the hosts nearly find themselves in front against the run of play.

22nd min: Close for Milan again! Giroud heads straight into the goalkeeper's hands after a great leap from a corner-kick, still goalless in the tie.

17th min: VAR! Never mind, the goal has been chalked off due to an offside decision. Calabria goes close moments after from inside the area as his shot is diverted out for a goal kick by Montipo.

15th min: GOAL! Tonali scores for Milan as he latches on to a loose ball before slotting past Montipo.

14th min: Close for Milan! Krunic header in the box is tipped over the bar by Verona goalkeeper Montipo, great start to the match for the neutral!

12th min: Hellas Verona break from deep, resulting in Giovanni Simeone curling a strike from the edge of the area straight down the throat of Mike Maignan.

8th min: Long-range strike by Theo Hernandez goes well wide for AC Milan, who have made a positive start to the match as the look to dominate. 

7th min: There has been a lively start to proceedings as both sides look to gain territorial advantages in key areas of the pitch, Leao blazes over the bar from long range.

1st min: We're now underway at the Marcantonio Bentegodi Stadium. 

10 mins to KO: Not long until play commences, stay with us as we provide wall-to-wall coverage of the match and its events!

25 mins to KO: AC Milan is putting the finishing touches to their warm-up as kick-off fast approaches, what a night we could have in store here at the Marcantonio Bentegodi Stadium.

30 mins to KO: Hellas Verona will be looking to build on their solid campaign so far against AC Milan. Giovanni Simeone will be key to this, with the 26-year-old already having scored 16 Serie A goals in 33 appearances this campaign.

40 mins to KO: Can AC Milan carry their formidable defensive form that has served them so well in 2022 into tonight's encounter?

50 mins to KO: The visitors have arrived in Verona ahead of one of the most important games of their campaign so far.

50 mins to KO: Big news for AC Milan as Olivier Giroud is chosen to lead the line tonight from the start ahead of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, can the cultured Frenchman be the key to a crucial three points tonight?

1 hr to KO: Hellas Verona name also name their eleven starters for tonight's match.


1hr 5 mins to KO: AC Milan name their starting line-up for the trip away to Hellas Verona.

1hr 15 min to KO: Not long now until both starting line-ups are announced, will either manager spring any surprises ahead of a match of great magnitude?

1hr 30 min to KO: Hellas Verona has submitted their 23-man squad for the visit of table-toppers AC Milan as they look to take a scalp in front of their own supporters. 

1hr 45 min to KO: Can the Rossoneri take another crucial step towards being Serie A champions at the end of the 2021/22 campaign? Here's some match preview content to get you in the mood for the big game. 

2hrs to KO: Welcome to The Sporting News' live blog coverage of Hellas Verona vs. AC Milan, we will be providing a live build-up to the match and team lines for both sides will be with you at the top of the hour.

Hellas Verona vs. AC Milan lineups

 

Hellas Verona lineup (3-4-1-2): Montipo, Casale, Gunter, Ceccherini, Faroani, Tameze, Ilic, Lazovic, Barak, Caprari, Simeone. Substitutes: (Chiesa, Berardi. Boseggia, Veloso, Lasagna, Cancellieri, Depaoli, Frabotta, Sutalo, Retsos, Hongla, Praszelik).

 

AC Milan starting lineup (4-2-3-1): Maignan, Calabria, Kalulu, Tomori, Hernandez, Tonali, Kessie, Saelemaekers, Krunic, Leao, Giroud. Substitutes: (Tatarusanu, Bennacer, Toure, Diaz, Ibrahimovic, Rebic, Romagnoli, Florenzi, Messias, Bakoyoko, Gabbia, Mirante).

How to watch Hellas Verona vs. AC Milan

  UK USA Canada Australia
Date May 08 May 08 May 08 May 08
Time 19:45 BST 14:45 ET 14:45 ET 04:45 AET
TV channel BT Sport 1 Paramount+ VIVA beIN Sports 2
Streaming BT Sport Paramount+ TSN beIN Sports Connect

In the USA and Canada, televised Serie A games are also available on fuboTV, which also offers a free trial to new subscribers.

Sean Markus Clifford