AC Milan produced a superb second half fightback from two goals down to beat Hellas Verona 3-2 at San Siro on Saturday and go top of the Serie A table.
Milan have now picked up 22 points after eight league games, their best record in the three-points-for-a-win era, going back to 1994-95.
“Verona were better than us in the first half, we were unlucky with the first goal but reacted after the break,” Milan coach Stefano Pioli told Sky Italia.
“I saw the right expressions on the faces of the players at halftime, we had to step it up and we did. It was a great test of maturity.”
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A Gianluca Caprari strike and Antonin Barak penalty gave the visitors a comfortable halftime lead, but Olivier Giroud halved the deficit with a 59th-minute header. The Rossoneri then turned the game on its head in the space of two minutes, as Franck Kessie equalised from the penalty spot and Koray Gunter steered an attempted clearance into his own net. There was further good news for the hosts when Zlatan Ibrahimovic, their top scorer last season, made his return from injury from the bench for the final 13 minutes after more than a month out.
“Everyone knows his presence is very important to us. He is not yet in top condition, I hope he can improve and play a lot of games,” Pioli said.
Milan are one point clear on top ahead of Napoli, who play Torino on Sunday, while Verona are 13th with eight points.
Pioli’s side had a bad week with injuries, as goalkeeper Mike Maignan was ruled out for 10 weeks following wrist surgery before Theo Hernandez and Brahim Diaz tested positive for Covid-19.
