The decisive moment came in the 56th minute when Dutch midfielder Tijjani Reijnders made a well-timed run and expertly guided a first-time shot into the top corner, following an excellent pass from Fofana.
Manager Paulo Fonseca praised his team's resilience, especially given the numerous injuries to key players, including forwards Álvaro Morata and Christian Pulisic. He noted, "Without so many players at the moment and our current form, I am satisfied with the victory, which was the most important thing. It was a much-deserved win; we kept a clean sheet and showed more stability in defence."
Despite dominating possession with 65%, Milan faced challenges in the attacking third, a situation compounded by the first-half injury to forward Rafael Leão, who was forced off due to a thigh problem. Fonseca downplayed concerns about Leão's injury, indicating it was not serious.
This victory elevates Milan to seventh place in Serie A with 26 points, narrowing the gap to five points from the Champions League qualification zone. Verona, meanwhile, remains 17th with 15 points.
The match also highlighted the performance of 19-year-old Spanish defender Álex Jiménez, who started in place of Theo Hernández. Jiménez showcased his potential by creating several opportunities and displaying confidence on the field.
Looking ahead, Milan aims to build on this momentum as they prepare for their next fixture, seeking to climb further up the league standings and secure a spot in European competitions.
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