MILAN, Sept 23 — AC Milan’s match with Verona was delayed by 25 minutes today after a sudden hailstorm briefly left the pitch unplayable.

Stefano Pioli’s Milan were due to open this weekend’s round of matches in Italy’s top flight at 1300 GMT but kick-off was pushed back until 1325 GMT.

Fourth in Serie A, Milan are three points behind league leaders Inter Milan after being thumped 5-1 by their local rivals last weekend.

The weekend’s matches will be proceeded by a minute’s silence in honour of former Italian president Giorgio Napolitano, who died aged 98 yesterday.

Later today Juventus take on Sassuolo before Lazio host Monza in the day’s late match. — AFP