AC Milan reclaimed pole position in Serie A, two points clear of unbeaten title rivals Juventus, with an obdurate 1-0 win at ninth-placed AC Chievo Verona.

After a draw at Calcio Catania and a home defeat by ACF Fiorentina in their previous two matches, Massimiliano Allegri had seen his side leapfrogged at the summit by Juventus.

However, despite being dogged by a raft of suspensions and injury problems that ruled out, among others, Massimo Ambrosini, Alberto Aquilani, Luca Antonini, Thiago Silva, Kevin-Prince Boateng and Alexandre Pato, Milan bounced back in Verona.

Sulley Muntari's eighth-minute goal, a thumped strike into the bottom corner from long range, and the alertness of goalkeeper Christian Abbiati proved the difference at the Stadio Bentegodi, as a makeshift Rossoneri lineup – which included 19-year-old Serie A debutant Mattia De Sciglio – was given a thorough examination by the Flying Donkeys.

Second-placed Juventus play their game in hand at home to S.S. Lazio in one of eight fixtures to be played on Wednesday.