AC Milan ended 2025 in the best possible way, securing a resounding and well-deserved 3-0 victory over visiting Hellas Verona at the San Siro in the 17th round of the Italian Serie A. This valuable win allowed the Rossoneri to temporarily seize the top spot in the standings, putting significant pressure on their city rivals Inter Milan ahead of their crucial match against Atalanta to conclude the round.
Coach Massimiliano Allegri's team managed to increase their points tally to 35, securing first place and a two-point lead over Inter, who have 33 points. This victory carries significant psychological weight for the Lombardy team, as it put them back on the winning track after a period of inconsistent results, including two defeats and a draw, which had caused concern within the club before this win restored confidence to both the fans and the players.
The brilliance of new stars and experience on the field
The match witnessed a remarkable performance from the team's stars, with American Christian Pulisic opening the scoring in first-half stoppage time (45+1), capitalizing on a header from Frenchman Adrien Rabiot following a corner kick taken by veteran Croatian Luka Modric. This goal marks the American international's tenth of the season across all competitions, underscoring his consistent value to the team.
In the second half, Frenchman Christopher Nkunku's talent exploded, as he opened his scoring account for the Rossoneri with a brilliant brace. His first goal came from a penalty in the 48th minute, before he added his second in the 53rd minute, following up on a rebound off the post after a powerful shot from Modric. Nkunku thus proved to be a valuable addition to Milan's attack.
Historical dominance and title struggle
Historically, Milan cemented their dominance over Verona, securing their tenth victory in the last ten encounters between the two sides, and their twelfth win in the last fourteen matches, reflecting the significant technical gap between the two teams in recent years. Meanwhile, Verona's situation worsened, remaining stuck on 12 points in eighteenth place, plunging them into the relegation battle early after suffering a defeat that halted their two-match winning streak.
This result is of paramount importance in the Scudetto race, where the traditional rivalry between the two Milan clubs is at its peak. Finishing the year in first place, even temporarily, gives Milan a huge morale boost for the second half of the season, especially with players of the caliber of Modric, Rabiot, and Nkunku capable of making the difference in crucial moments.
