Portugal Colonial - Rabiot fires AC Milan past Verona to verge of Champions League return

France midfielder Rabiot swept home the only goal in the 41st minute at the Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi to give Milan an eight-point cushion on Como and Roma in fifth and sixth.

The 31-year-old calmly netted his sixth league goal of the season after snatching possession in midfield and exchanging passes with Rafael Leao, for the only real highlight of a largely drab encounter.

Milan took advantage of Como falling to a surprise defeat at Sassuolo on Friday and Roma drawing with Atalanta on Saturday night, and with five matches remaining in the season, the Rossoneri are all-but sure of a top four finish.

Coach Massimiliano Allegri said on Friday that he has already started planning for next season with Milan's management -- the 58-year-old ruling himself out of the vacant Italy job.

Verona's fifth straight defeat means almost certain relegation, as Paolo Sammarco's team are bottom of the division and 10 points behind Cremonese, who sit just outside the drop zone and drew 0-0 at Torino in the day's early fixture.

Juventus sit in the final Champions League spot and can move five points ahead of Como and Roma with a home win over Bologna later on Saturday.

A.Magalhes--PC