Zlatan Ibrahimovic, 39, is injured and in a thin squad, young Swede Emil Roback, 17, took his place on the bench for Milan against Greece Verona.
The guests, second in Serie A, missed not only Ibrahimovic, but Hakan Calhanoglu, Ismael Bennacer and Mario Mandzukic.
The attacking play shone with its absence, but a bit into the first half Rade Krunic arranged a free kick - and screwed in elegantly 1-0 for Milan.
Hardly anyone else had time to start before Diego Dalot tripped in the lane and fired a cannon at the crossbar to make it 2-0.
Roback was not allowed to jump in, but could rejoice in an important victory for Milan, who with one match more played are three points behind Inter.