Sandro Tonali scored on either side of the break to help AC Milan come from a goal down and beat Hellas Verona 3-1. The Rossoneri snatched back the lead from rivals Inter Milan with two games to go in the 2021/22 Serie A season.
Inter’s comeback win against Empoli on May 6 night threatened to knock the wind out of the sails of rivals AC Milan. The Nerazzurri had trailed 2-0 at one point in their game but scored four without reply, won the game, took the lead in the league, and moved the momentum back to the blue half of Milan going into the final two weeks of the season.
Things got worse for AC Milan before they got better. After observing Verona goalkeeper Lorenzo Montipo make two good saves to keep Rade Krunic and Davide Calabria out, the Milan bench watched in horror as former Inter player Marco Davide Faraoni gave the Gialloblu the lead in the 38th minute. Faraoni headed the ball at the back post after the Milan defence had been stretched by some quick combination play.
But, boyhood Milan fan Tonali came to their rescue, combining with Rafael Leao on either side of the break to switch the balance of the tie. Leao’s burst of pace on both occasions left his marker in his wake, and Tonali, both times, tapped the ball into an empty net from close range.
Milan kept their composure as they dealt with Verona’s onslaught before sealing the points in the 86th minute. The on-loan Alessandro Florenzi combined with Junior Messias on the right, continuing his run as he received the ball back from his teammate into the box; the Italian arrowed a powerful shot past Montipo and the away end breathed a collective sigh of relief.
With two games left to go in the season, Milan lead Inter by two points. Positive results in both their and their rivals’ fixtures next weekend could return the league title to the red half of Milan for the first time in a decade. But, the free-scoring Atalanta awaits the Rossoneri, followed by a visit to giant-killers Sassuolo on the final matchday.
