Just like a few months ago, it was once again Sandro Tonali to pull the chestnuts out of the fire for Milan in Verona. The former Brescia starlet had scored a brace at the Marc’Antonio Bentegodi Stadium back in May, in a key game towards the Scudetto run for the Rossoneri.
Tonight, Tonali’s decisive goal helped Milan win 2-1 against a brave Verona side that appeared revitalized by the arrival of their new coach Salvatore Bocchetti. For the 36-year-old gaffer, who only two seasons ago was still featuring in Serie B as a player, this was just an promising start, even though the Scaligeri were forced to concede defeat for the fifth time in a row.
When it comes to the formation, Bocchetti didn’t change much from his predecessor Gabriele Cioffi’s setup. Giangiacomo Magnani replaced Federico Ceccherini (who was serving a one-match ban) at the back, while Davide Faraoni came back from the start in midfield.
For Milan, Stefano Pioli offered a slot in the starting lineup for the first time to Yacine Adli. However, the former Bordeaux man didn’t take full advantage of it and was eventually replaced by Ismael Bennacer.
The Rossoneri seemed to be off to a good start when Miguel Velono clumsily deflected into his own net a Rafael Leao cross from the left. They should have had their second just two minutes later but Olivier Giroud squandered a gigantic chance after connecting with Brahim Diaz. The Frenchman went one-on-one with the Verona goalie Lorenzo Montipó but missed the target from a favorable position.
And, since in calcio a goal sbagliato is a goal subito (“to miss a goal means to concede a goal”), Verona found their equalizer on 19 minutes with Koray Gunter. The German defender caught the Milan backline by surprise with an incursion from the left flank. His conclusion appeared weak but this time it was Matteo Gabbia to push it in the wrong goal, making it 1-1.
The Scaligeri gained confidence and courage, pushing Pioli to make some changes at half time. Ante Rebic and Divock Origi replaced Brahim Diaz and Giroud but the results were not those expected. Rebic wasted another favorable chance while the former Liverpool striker was as impalpable as he has been since joining the Rossoneri this summer.
Verona came close to taking the lead with Roberto Piccoli, who saw his effort denied by the crossbar, and again with Gunter, who missed the target by just a few inches. The Rossoneri replied with shooting efforts from Theo Hernandez and Rebic, who were both denied by Montipó.
Just when a draw seemed a possible and fair outcome, Tonali won it for the Rossoneri. On 81 minutes, Milan’s number 8 was served by Rebic from the right and nutmegged Montipó to put the visitors ahead again. The Scaligeri still had more than ten minutes to try a comeback but Pioli’s wall held and the score remained set at 2-1.
Milan thus reached the third place in the Serie A table, overtaking Lazio and Udinese who shared the spoils earlier in the day. As for Verona and their new coach Bocchetti, it was like their campionato started today, and the start was an encouraging one.
MATCH SCORECARD
October 16, 2022 – Serie A 2022-2023 Round 10
VERONA – MILAN 1-2
SCORERS: 9′ Veloso (V, o.g.), 19′ Gunter (V), 81′ Tonali (M)
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VERONA (3-4-2-1): Montipò; Hien, Gunter, Magnani; Faraoni, Veloso, Tameze (66′ Hongla), Depaoli; Verdi, Hrustic (54′ Piccoli); Henry (66′ Djuric) (Perilli, Berardi, Chiesa, Hongla, Djuric, Piccoli, Terracciano, Praszelik, Kallon, Cabal, Sulemana) Coach: Bocchetti |
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MILAN (4-2-3-1): Tatarusanu; Kalulu, Gabbia, Tomori, Hernandez; Tonali, Krunic (61′ Pobega); Brahim Diaz (46′ Origi), Adli (61′ Bennacer), Rafael Leao (83′ Thiaw); Giroud (46′ Rebic) (Mirante, Jungdal, Ballo-Touré, Bakayoko, Vranckx, Dest, Messias) Coach: Pioli |
NOTES: Yellow Cards: Magnani, Hongla, Faraoni (V), Hernandez e Rebic (M); Added Time: 1st Half 2′, 2nd Half 5′
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