AC Milan will be keen to hold onto the Serie A summit when they take on Hellas Verona on Sunday.
AC Milan return to Serie A action on Sunday knowing that the margin for error is shrinking. With the title race tightening at the top, Stefano Pioli’s side, or in this context, Massimiliano Allegri’s Milan, welcome Hellas Verona to San Siro aware that anything less than victory could prove costly in a season where consistency is proving elusive.
Despite their standing among the league’s front-runners, AC Milan have not enjoyed a smooth ride. Dropped points against supposedly inferior opposition have prevented them from fully asserting control at the summit, and the Rossoneri now find themselves in a position where every fixture carries weight. A home clash against a struggling Verona side, however, offers a timely opportunity to restore momentum.
Milan’s recent run has been defined by frustration rather than failure. A 2-2 draw with Sassuolo, a fixture that has historically troubled them, was followed by a disappointing Supercoppa Italiana exit, as they fell 2-0 to Napoli in Riyadh. That defeat halted their momentum and briefly cast doubt over their rhythm heading into the new year.
Nevertheless, their league position remains strong. With Inter briefly overtaking them following a narrow win at Genoa, Milan know a positive result this weekend could see them reclaim top spot, depending on results elsewhere. The margins are slim, and with the top five separated by just four points, consistency against lower-ranked opposition has become non-negotiable.
The Rossoneri’s record against Verona offers reassurance. They have not lost this fixture since December 2017 and have not been beaten by the Gialloblu at San Siro since 1922, a staggering historical advantage that underlines their dominance in this matchup.
Hellas Verona arrive in Milan buoyed by a rare positive spell. After a difficult opening to the campaign, Paolo Zanetti’s side have begun to show signs of resilience, climbing off the foot of the table following successive victories.
A dramatic late winner from Gift Orban against Fiorentina last time out provided a vital boost, lifting the Gialloblu to 18th and reigniting belief in their survival bid. That result followed another morale-boosting win, giving Verona back-to-back league victories for the first time since March 2024.
Still, history offers little comfort. Verona have lost nine consecutive meetings with Milan and have not taken a point off the Rossoneri in this fixture since 2017. Zanetti’s personal record against Milan is equally discouraging, having failed to beat them in six attempts, though he does hold a solitary win over Massimiliano Allegri from his time at Empoli.
While Verona will take confidence from their recent uptick in form, the challenge of ending such a prolonged drought against one of Italy’s most decorated clubs remains formidable. Milan are likely to dominate possession and territory, probing patiently for openings against a Verona side expected to defend deep and look to counter.
The visitors may attempt to frustrate and slow the tempo, but sustained pressure at San Siro has often proved overwhelming for teams in the lower half of the table. Given Milan’s urgency, depth, and historical dominance in this fixture, this match presents an opportunity to reset momentum and reassert their title credentials. The Hard Tackle takes a look at how the clubs could line up on the night and what tactics they might employ.
Team News & Tactics
AC Milan
AC Milan head into this fixture with a degree of uncertainty surrounding the fitness of one of their most influential attackers. Rafael Leao remains a major doubt after being forced off inside the opening half-hour of Milan’s dramatic 3-2 victory over Torino earlier this month. The Portuguese winger is still being assessed, and a late decision will be made regarding his availability.
Should Leao fail to recover in time, he would join Matteo Gabbia, who is sidelined with a knee injury, and Santiago Gimenez, who continues to recover from an ankle issue, on the treatment table. Their absences would leave Massimiliano Allegri with limited attacking options, particularly in wide areas, prompting potential tactical adjustments in the final third.
In Leao’s absence, Christian Pulisic is expected to shoulder greater responsibility in the attack. The United States international has been one of Milan’s most consistent performers this season, contributing seven goals and two assists in Serie A. Only Inter striker Lautaro Martinez has been directly involved in more goals among attacking players, underlining Pulisic’s importance to Milan’s offensive output.
The home side are expected to line up in a 3-5-2 formation, offering defensive stability while allowing flexibility in midfield and attack. Mike Maignan will start in goal, providing leadership and distribution from the back.
The defensive trio is likely to consist of Fikayo Tomori, Koni De Winter, and Strahinja Pavlovic. Tomori’s recovery pace and aggression allow Milan to hold a higher defensive line, while De Winter and Pavlovic provide balance and physical presence in central areas.
In midfield, Alexis Saelemaekers is expected to operate on the right flank, with Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Adrien Rabiot forming the central midfield pairing alongside Luka Modric. The Croat is expected to provide composure and creativity, offering Milan control in possession and intelligent distribution between the lines. His positioning will be crucial in breaking down Verona’s defensive shape
Davide Bartesaghi is set to operate on the left, tasked with linking play and supporting the forward line from the flank. Up front, Christopher Nkunku is expected to partner Christian Pulisic, with the pair combining movement, pressing, and technical quality to stretch Verona’s back line and create space inside the box.
This setup allows AC Milan to shift fluidly between a compact 5-3-2 when defending and a more expansive 3-2-5 structure in possession, giving Allegri tactical flexibility across the field.
Probable Lineup (3-5-2): Maignan; Tomori, De Winter, Pavlovic; Saelemaekers, Loftus-Cheek, Modric, Rabiot, Bartesaghi; Nkunku, Pulisic
Hellas Verona
Hellas Verona approach this fixture with several availability concerns that continue to limit Paolo Zanetti’s options, particularly in attacking areas. Giovane, who was forced off early during the defeat to Fiorentina on December 14, remains a major doubt after sustaining an injury in that match. His potential absence would be a notable blow, given his influence in the final third this season.
Should Giovane fail to recover in time, he would join a growing list of absentees. Jean-Daniel Akpa Akpro remains sidelined through injury, while Domagoj Bradaric and Tomas Suslov are also unavailable, further reducing depth in midfield and wide areas. Verona are additionally without Martin Frese and Rafik Belghali, both suspended.
Belghali’s absence is softened slightly by the fact that he is currently away on international duty with Algeria at the Africa Cup of Nations and would not have featured regardless. Despite these setbacks, Verona still carry a modest attacking threat. Gift Orban remains the club’s most productive scorer in the league, with four goals to his name, half of which have come away from home, underlining his importance in counter-attacking situations.
Hellas Verona are expected to retain their 3-5-2 shape, a system designed to prioritise compactness while allowing controlled transitions forward. Lorenzo Montipo is set to start in goal, providing leadership and shot-stopping reliability.
The back three should consist of Unai Nunez, Victor Nelsson, and Armel Bella-Kotchap, with Nelsson acting as the central organiser and the others providing cover across the channels. This trio will be tasked with maintaining a deep, compact defensive line to limit space behind them.
The wing-back roles are expected to be filled by Nicolas Valentini on the right, and Al-Musrati would normally feature on the left, but with absences, Cheikh Niasse is expected to operate centrally alongside Roberto Gagliardini, with Antoine Bernede in tow.
Up front, Gift Orban is expected to partner Daniel Mosquera, forming a physical and mobile strike pairing. The Nigerian striker’s movement off the shoulder of defenders complements Mosquera’s hold-up play, offering Verona a direct outlet when transitioning from defence to attack.
Probable Lineup (3-5-2): Montipo; Nunez, Nelsson, Bella-Kotchap; Valentini, Niasse, Gagliardini, Bernede, Al Musrati; Orban, Mosquera
Key Stats
- AC Milan are unbeaten in their last nine Serie A meetings with Hellas Verona, winning seven of those encounters.
- Hellas Verona have failed to score in over half of their away matches this season.
- AC Milan have won five of their last six home league games, conceding just three goals in that period.
- Hellas Verona have taken points in only two of their last eight away league fixtures, with their only away win this season coming earlier in the campaign.
- AC Milan have scored first in seven of their last nine league matches.
Player to Watch
Christian Pulisic
Pulisic has quietly become one of AC Milan’s most reliable attacking outlets this season, combining consistency with decisive end product. With seven Serie A goals and two assists to his name, the American international has emerged as a key figure in Milan’s push at the top of the table, often stepping up when others have faltered.
What makes Pulisic particularly dangerous is his versatility. Whether deployed wide or drifting into central areas, he excels at exploiting half-spaces and attacking defenders one-on-one. His sharp movement off the ball allows him to find pockets between defensive lines, while his acceleration enables him to turn small openings into genuine scoring opportunities.
Against a Hellas Verona side that is likely to defend deep and concede possession, Pulisic’s ability to operate in tight spaces could be decisive. His intelligent positioning around the box and willingness to attack second balls make him a constant threat when opponents drop into a low block. Moreover, with Rafael Leao’s availability uncertain, Pulisic is expected to shoulder even greater creative responsibility.
If Milan are to break down a stubborn Verona defence and maintain their title charge, Pulisic’s movement, composure, and finishing could once again prove the difference.
Prediction
AC Milan 2-0 Hellas Verona
AC Milan enter this fixture with greater momentum, superior squad depth, and a strong historical edge over Hellas Verona. While the visitors have shown occasional resilience and flashes of improvement, their struggles away from home, combined with a depleted squad, make this a daunting challenge at San Siro.
Milan’s ability to control possession, create chances from wide areas, and maintain defensive structure should eventually wear Verona down. With Christian Pulisic in strong form and the Rossoneri eager to keep pace in the title race, this feels like a game they will approach with authority rather than caution.
