Tonali scores late to give AC Milan slim victory
Sandro Tonali fired a late winner as AC Milan earned a 2-1 away victory over Hellas Verona on Sunday.
The win enabled the Rossoneri to climb to third in the Italian Serie A and stay in touch with early leaders, Napoli.
Stefano Pioli’s visitors got ahead early when Miguel Veloso diverted Rafael Leao’s cross into his own net.
But the lead lasted just 10 minutes as Koray Gunter’s shot came off Matteo Gabbia and nestled in the back of the net.
It looked as if AC Milan would have to settle for a draw until Tonali’s cool finish in the 81st minute proved decisive.
AC Milan’s fourth successive Serie A victory over Verona moves them up to third, just three points behind leaders Napoli as Pioli’s men look to retain their title.
AC Milan were in front within nine minutes, Leao showing a burst of pace to beat a defender.
His cross was turned in by the unfortunate Veloso as the Verona captain awkwardly tried to clear.
Verona got themselves level in fortuitous fashion when Gunter’s shot deflected off Gabbia, completely wrong-footing Ciprian Tatarusanu and flying in.
The hosts hit the woodwork in the second period when Roberto Piccoli headed off the crossbar before Gunter’s fierce volley from the rebound flew just over.
Substitute Ante Rebic went close with a header that Lorenzo Montipo punched away before the Croatia international played a vital part in his side’s winner.
As AC Milan went on a counter-attack, Rebic’s pass was inch-perfect for Tonali to calmly sweep home and give the Rossoneri a lead they would not relinquish.
Verona went mighty close to snatching a draw, though.
A couple of goalmouth scrambles saw desperate clearances by AC Milan as last-ditch defending ensured the points for the reigning champions.
(dpa/NAN)
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
Sport
Argentina v Spain: Will Messi ‘bathe’ Yamal in 2026 FIFA World Cup final on Sunday?
In 2007, Messi, 20, Barcelona’s budding star, was paired with five-month-old Yamal in a charity calendar photo shoot put together by Barcelona’s foundation.
Education
Lack of practice, mentorship hampering engineering sector’s progress: NBTE
NBTE boss noted that the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and Sokoto-Badagry Super Highway were designed offshore.
Africa
Religion central to West Africa’s stability, military readiness: USAFRICOM
The command chaplain of the United States Africa Command (USAFRICOM), Kevin Forrester, has described spiritual readiness as a foundational pillar of military success.
Economy
Jack-Rich, Trump seek closer U.S.-Nigeria ties
Mr Trump endorsed Mr Jack-Rich’s call for closer engagement, saying Africa possesses extraordinary economic potential that should not be overlooked by the U.S.
Economy
Abia, Enugu collaborate to train 150,000 tech talent
Abia and Enugu have called for stronger regional collaboration to train 150,000 tech talents and incubate 3,000 startups across Nigeria.
States
Museum unveils memorial sculpture to immortalise Onyeama N’Eke
The National Museum of Unity, Enugu, on Wednesday unveiled a memorial sculpture and a permanent exhibition gallery in honour of Onyeama N’Eke.
