Pulisic and Nkunku Inspire AC Milan to 3-0 Win Over Verona.
AC Milan 3-0 Hellas Verona Highlights: Pulisic and Nkunku Shine as Rossoneri End 2025 in Style.
In a dominant display at the iconic San Siro on December 28, 2025, AC Milan closed out the calendar year with a convincing 3-0 victory over Hellas Verona in Serie A Matchday 17.
Toss, Team News, and Tactical Setup
No toss in football, but Milan kicked off under clear Milanese skies. Manager Massimiliano Allegri, in his second spell at the club, fielded a strong 3-5-2 formation, leveraging veteran experience with Luka Modrić pulling strings in midfield alongside Adrien Rabiot and Ruben Loftus-Cheek. Up front, Christian Pulisic partnered Christopher Nkunku, with the American captain thriving in a free role.
AC Milan Starting XI: Mike Maignan; Fikayo Tomori, Koni De Winter, Strahinja Pavlović; Alexis Saelemaekers, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Luka Modrić, Adrien Rabiot, Davide Bartesaghi; Christopher Nkunku, Christian Pulisic.
Subs included promising youngsters and options like Youssouf Fofana and Samuele Ricci.
Hellas Verona Starting XI: Lorenzo Montipò; Unai Núñez, Victor Nelsson, Armel Bella-Kotchap; Daniel Oyegoke, Suat Serdar (later substitutions), Moatasem Al Musrati, Antoine Bernède, Nicolas Valentini; Giovane Nascimento, Daniel Mosquera.
Verona opted for a defensive 3-5-1-1, hoping to frustrate Milan on the counter.
First Half: Pulisic Breaks the Deadlock
The opening 45 minutes were a story of Milan dominance tempered by Verona's resilience. The Rossoneri controlled possession (around 60%), probing with patient build-up play orchestrated by the ageless Luka Modrić, who dictated tempo with his trademark vision.
Verona threatened sporadically, with Mosquera testing Maignan early, but the French goalkeeper was equal to it. Milan ramped up pressure, with Pulisic and Nkunku linking cleverly, but clear chances were scarce until added time.
In the 45'+1 minute, Modrić whipped in a dangerous corner. Adrien Rabiot rose highest to flick it on at the near post, and Christian Pulisic reacted quickest, volleying home from close range for his 10th goal across all competitions this season (8 in Serie A). It was a classic set-piece goal, highlighting Milan's improved dead-ball threat under Allegri.
Halftime: AC Milan 1-0 Hellas Verona.
Second Half: Nkunku Takes Center Stage
Allegri's halftime talk clearly energized the hosts, who exploded out of the blocks. Just three minutes in (48'), a Verona handball in the box gifted Milan a penalty. Christopher Nkunku stepped up confidently, slotting home for his first Serie A goal since his summer move from Chelsea – a milestone that relieved any lingering pressure on the Frenchman.
Five minutes later (53'), Nkunku doubled his tally. Modrić's shot from distance was parried by Montipò onto the post, but the rebound fell kindly to Nkunku, who tapped in from close range. It was "London buses" for the forward – waiting ages for one, then two arrive at once.
Milan cruised from there, managing the game professionally. Substitutions allowed rest for key players, with young talents getting minutes. Verona pushed late but never truly threatened Maignan's clean sheet.
Fulltime: AC Milan 3-0 Hellas Verona.
Key Stats: Milan 60% possession, 15 shots (6 on target); Verona 40% possession, 8 shots (2 on target). Expected goals: Milan 2.1, Verona 0.6.
Key Milestones and Records
Christian Pulisic: Reaches double figures (10 goals) in just 15 matches – on pace for his best-ever season. Since joining Milan in 2023, involved in 50 goal contributions (31 goals, 19 assists) – second only to Inter's Lautaro Martínez.
Christopher Nkunku: First Serie A goals, boosting confidence after a slow start post-Chelsea transfer.
Luka Modrić: Continues to defy age at 40, with pinpoint set-piece delivery.
Milan: Unbeaten in Serie A since opening-day loss; clean sheet extends defensive solidity.
Historical note: Verona have never won at San Siro against Milan in 34 attempts.
Post-Match Reactions
Christian Pulisic (Player of the Match contender): "Great way to end the year. The assist from Rabiot and corner from Luka was perfect – happy to finish it. We're building something special here."
Massimiliano Allegri: "A mature performance. We were patient, clinical on set pieces, and solid defensively. Pulisic is in his prime; Nkunku needed those goals. Top of the table for now – that's the mentality we want."
Christopher Nkunku: "Relief and joy. The team supported me; now I can push on."
Verona coach reflected on set-piece vulnerabilities but praised fight.
Series Context, Standings, and What's Next
This win capped a remarkable turnaround under Allegri, who returned in May 2025. Milan sit atop Serie A (temporarily, pending other results), one point clear of Napoli and Inter rivals. The Rossoneri have blended youth with experience – Modrić, Rabiot additions proving masterful.
Hellas Verona remain in relegation trouble, highlighting need for January reinforcements.
Next: Milan travel to Cagliari on January 2, 2026 – aiming to start the new year strongly en route to Scudetto challenge. With Pulisic leading the USMNT charge toward the 2026 home World Cup, his form bodes well for club and country.
This match encapsulated Milan's resurgence: tactical nous from Allegri, flair from Pulisic, and emerging threats like Nkunku. 2026 promises excitement for the Rossoneri faithful.
AC Milan 3-0 Hellas Verona Highlights: Pulisic and Nkunku Shine as Rossoneri End 2025 in Style.
In a dominant display at the iconic San Siro on December 28, 2025, AC Milan closed out the calendar year with a convincing 3-0 victory over Hellas Verona in Serie A Matchday 17.
Christian Pulisic opened the scoring just before halftime, while summer signing Christopher Nkunku marked his breakthrough with a quickfire second-half brace – including a penalty – to seal the win. The result propelled Massimiliano Allegri's side temporarily to the top of the Serie A standings with 35 points (10-5-1 record), showcasing their title credentials ahead of the new year.
The packed San Siro, with over 73,000 fans in attendance, created an electric atmosphere for Milan's final match of 2025. Verona, struggling near the relegation zone with just 12 points (2-6-8), offered resistance but were ultimately outclassed by the Rossoneri's quality in midfield and attack.
The packed San Siro, with over 73,000 fans in attendance, created an electric atmosphere for Milan's final match of 2025. Verona, struggling near the relegation zone with just 12 points (2-6-8), offered resistance but were ultimately outclassed by the Rossoneri's quality in midfield and attack.
Toss, Team News, and Tactical Setup
No toss in football, but Milan kicked off under clear Milanese skies. Manager Massimiliano Allegri, in his second spell at the club, fielded a strong 3-5-2 formation, leveraging veteran experience with Luka Modrić pulling strings in midfield alongside Adrien Rabiot and Ruben Loftus-Cheek. Up front, Christian Pulisic partnered Christopher Nkunku, with the American captain thriving in a free role.
AC Milan Starting XI: Mike Maignan; Fikayo Tomori, Koni De Winter, Strahinja Pavlović; Alexis Saelemaekers, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Luka Modrić, Adrien Rabiot, Davide Bartesaghi; Christopher Nkunku, Christian Pulisic.
Subs included promising youngsters and options like Youssouf Fofana and Samuele Ricci.
Hellas Verona Starting XI: Lorenzo Montipò; Unai Núñez, Victor Nelsson, Armel Bella-Kotchap; Daniel Oyegoke, Suat Serdar (later substitutions), Moatasem Al Musrati, Antoine Bernède, Nicolas Valentini; Giovane Nascimento, Daniel Mosquera.
Verona opted for a defensive 3-5-1-1, hoping to frustrate Milan on the counter.
First Half: Pulisic Breaks the Deadlock
The opening 45 minutes were a story of Milan dominance tempered by Verona's resilience. The Rossoneri controlled possession (around 60%), probing with patient build-up play orchestrated by the ageless Luka Modrić, who dictated tempo with his trademark vision.
Verona threatened sporadically, with Mosquera testing Maignan early, but the French goalkeeper was equal to it. Milan ramped up pressure, with Pulisic and Nkunku linking cleverly, but clear chances were scarce until added time.
In the 45'+1 minute, Modrić whipped in a dangerous corner. Adrien Rabiot rose highest to flick it on at the near post, and Christian Pulisic reacted quickest, volleying home from close range for his 10th goal across all competitions this season (8 in Serie A). It was a classic set-piece goal, highlighting Milan's improved dead-ball threat under Allegri.
Halftime: AC Milan 1-0 Hellas Verona.
Second Half: Nkunku Takes Center Stage
Allegri's halftime talk clearly energized the hosts, who exploded out of the blocks. Just three minutes in (48'), a Verona handball in the box gifted Milan a penalty. Christopher Nkunku stepped up confidently, slotting home for his first Serie A goal since his summer move from Chelsea – a milestone that relieved any lingering pressure on the Frenchman.
Five minutes later (53'), Nkunku doubled his tally. Modrić's shot from distance was parried by Montipò onto the post, but the rebound fell kindly to Nkunku, who tapped in from close range. It was "London buses" for the forward – waiting ages for one, then two arrive at once.
Milan cruised from there, managing the game professionally. Substitutions allowed rest for key players, with young talents getting minutes. Verona pushed late but never truly threatened Maignan's clean sheet.
Fulltime: AC Milan 3-0 Hellas Verona.
Key Stats: Milan 60% possession, 15 shots (6 on target); Verona 40% possession, 8 shots (2 on target). Expected goals: Milan 2.1, Verona 0.6.
Key Milestones and Records Christian Pulisic: Reaches double figures (10 goals) in just 15 matches – on pace for his best-ever season. Since joining Milan in 2023, involved in 50 goal contributions (31 goals, 19 assists) – second only to Inter's Lautaro Martínez.
Christopher Nkunku: First Serie A goals, boosting confidence after a slow start post-Chelsea transfer.
Luka Modrić: Continues to defy age at 40, with pinpoint set-piece delivery.
Milan: Unbeaten in Serie A since opening-day loss; clean sheet extends defensive solidity.
Historical note: Verona have never won at San Siro against Milan in 34 attempts.
Post-Match Reactions
Christian Pulisic (Player of the Match contender): "Great way to end the year. The assist from Rabiot and corner from Luka was perfect – happy to finish it. We're building something special here."
Massimiliano Allegri: "A mature performance. We were patient, clinical on set pieces, and solid defensively. Pulisic is in his prime; Nkunku needed those goals. Top of the table for now – that's the mentality we want."
Christopher Nkunku: "Relief and joy. The team supported me; now I can push on."
Verona coach reflected on set-piece vulnerabilities but praised fight.
Series Context, Standings, and What's Next
This win capped a remarkable turnaround under Allegri, who returned in May 2025. Milan sit atop Serie A (temporarily, pending other results), one point clear of Napoli and Inter rivals. The Rossoneri have blended youth with experience – Modrić, Rabiot additions proving masterful.
Hellas Verona remain in relegation trouble, highlighting need for January reinforcements.
Next: Milan travel to Cagliari on January 2, 2026 – aiming to start the new year strongly en route to Scudetto challenge. With Pulisic leading the USMNT charge toward the 2026 home World Cup, his form bodes well for club and country.
This match encapsulated Milan's resurgence: tactical nous from Allegri, flair from Pulisic, and emerging threats like Nkunku. 2026 promises excitement for the Rossoneri faithful.
All Tournaments | Standings | Schedule | Tournament Statistics Serie A title race heats up; Milan lead pack. Full tables and stats on official platforms. AC MILAN VS HELLAS VERONA – A commanding close to 2025.
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