Reijnders winner eases pressure on Milan's mentor
Tijjani Reijnders' second-half strike proved decisive as AC Milan edged to a 1-0 win over Verona in a keenly contested Serie A clash.
After failing to win its past two league matches, Milan moved up to seventh on the table with a much-needed three points.
The visitors struggled to find their rhythm in the first half, and almost found themselves behind as Tomas Suslov pounced on Samuel Chukwueze's loose pass before forcing Mike Maignan into a low save.
Coach Paulo Fonseca then suffered an injury blow as Rafael Leao was forced off before the break with what looked to be a muscle problem.
However, Milan eventually found a breakthrough in the 56th minute as Reijnders made a well-timed run to evade the defence before expertly guiding a first-time shot into the top corner.
Despite a spirited display, Verona could not find a late equaliser and remains one place and one point above the relegation zone.
Fonseca's side had to cope without injured duo Alvaro Morata and Christian Pulisic, while Theo Hernandez was again limited to the role of substitute.
"The first half was somewhat inevitable with so many players missing and not winning the most recent match, so we were sluggish," Fonseca said after the game.
"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."
Milan has won without conceding in an away Serie A match for only the second time this term, after a 1-0 triumph at Monza in early November.
"It's true that we did not allow Verona much and dominated possession, but without being aggressive in the final third," Fonseca said.
"We made too many wrong decisions, that is also down to a lack of confidence, because we had the ball so often near the penalty area and should’ve done better."
Fonseca said the injury sustained by Leao in the first half was not too serious despite the Portugal international limping off.
"I spoke to Rafa, it doesn't seem to be anything particularly special. It's nothing major," Fonseca said.
