Milan Scrapes Past Verona Thanks to Rabiot — Tactical Shift and Injury Updates Emerge
Milan barely got the job done against bottom-placed Verona, winning 1-0 thanks to Adrien Rabiot’s first-half strike. It wasn’t pretty — the Rossoneri looked disjointed at times, but three key developments from this match could ripple into their next fixtures: tactical reversion to 3-5-2, Matteo Gabbia’s successful return from injury, and Youssouf Fofana’s concerning second-half exit.
Tactical Reset After Back-to-Back Losses
After getting hammered by Napoli and Udinese playing 4-3-3, coach Max Allegri ditched the experiment and went back to his trusted 3-5-2. The change brought stability, if not brilliance. Milan controlled possession better and limited Verona’s chances — though most of those came from individual errors or defensive lapses, not systemic breakdowns.
Rafael Leao started up front again despite heavy criticism. He assisted Rabiot’s goal but remained inconsistent — missing clear runs, hesitating in the final third, and eventually subbed off after muttering something to Allegri. Fans are split: some think he needs time, others believe he’s lost his edge.
Key tactical takeaways:
- Midfield trio (Rabiot, Fofana, Modric) worked harder defensively, covering full wing-backs.
- Pulisic operated as a free roamer behind the strikers — less effective than in 4-3-3 but safer.
- Defensive line held higher, reducing space for Verona counters — until fatigue set in late.
Injury Watch: Gabbia Returns, Fofana Exits Early
Matteo Gabbia made his comeback after two months out with sports hernia surgery. He played the full 90, scored a disallowed header, and made a goal-line block that saved the match. His presence restored balance to the back three — especially noticeable when Verona pushed late.
But there’s bad news too: Youssouf Fofana pulled up clutching his thigh in the 67th minute and was subbed immediately. No official update yet, but the way he went down suggests hamstring trouble. If he misses even one game, Milan’s midfield depth gets tested fast.
Other injury notes:
- Verona’s Daniel Oyegoke suffered an ankle sprain in the 8th minute — out for weeks.
- Kieron Bowie and Suat Serdar remain sidelined for Verona.
- Armel Bella-Kotchap and Sandi Lovric were only fit enough for the bench.
What This Win Means for Milan’s Season
The victory moves Milan into second place — psychologically important, even if the performance didn’t scream “title contender.” Beating Verona should be routine, and scraping by on one goal shows how much work remains. Still, three points is three points, and the league table doesn’t judge style.
Biggest concerns:
- Lack of cutting edge without Leao firing on all cylinders.
- Over-reliance on Maignan — he made two world-class saves to preserve the clean sheet.
- Late-game vulnerability — Verona had 3 clear chances in the final 15 minutes.
Bright spots:
- Rabiot stepping up as both creator and finisher.
- Gabbia’s seamless return — huge for defensive continuity.
- Wing-backs tracked back consistently — Saelemaekers nearly doubled the lead.
Key Takeaways
- Milan reverted to 3-5-2 successfully — expect this formation to stay for upcoming matches.
- Matteo Gabbia is fully match-fit and crucial to defensive solidity.
- Youssouf Fofana’s injury is a major red flag — monitor updates closely.
- Rafael Leao remains a starter for now, but his confidence looks shaky.
- Mike Maignan continues to be Milan’s most reliable player — bailed them out twice.
This win keeps momentum alive, but it’s paper-thin. Next opponents will punish these defensive lapses unless Allegri tightens things up. The real test comes in the next two fixtures — if Fofana’s out, Milan’s midfield could collapse under pressure.
— Editorial Team
