Not an edifying spectacle by any means, but Milan scrape over the line today against Genoa with what is ultimately a two-goal win and return to the Serie A summit – two points clear of Inter, but having played one game more.
Clear-cut chances were few and far between in a staccato affair, which was dominated by regular stoppages; denying either side any real rhythm.
Nonetheless, the Rossoneri post a sixth straight clean sheet – though were indebted to Maignan’s fine stop at the end for preserving that record – and consign Genoa to yet another defeat.
Starting lineup:
MILAN (4-2-3-1): Mike Maignan;
Pierre Kalulu, Matteo Gabbia, Fikayo Tomori, Theo Hernandez;
Sandro Tonali, Ismael Bennacer;
Alexis Saelemaekers, Franck Kessie, Rafael Leao; Olivier Giroud.
GENOA (4-3-1-2): Salvatore Sirigu;
Silvan Hefti, Mattia Bani, Leo Ostigard, Johan Vasquez;
Morten Frendrup, Milan Badelj, Pablo Galdames;
Nadiem Amiri; Roberto Piccoli, Caleb Ekuban.
Goals:
MILAN LEAD! Finally ending their goal drought, the Rossoneri go in front, as Leao finishes a sweeping move with a back-post finish. After Kalulu – only deputising at right-back today – slung an inviting cross in from the flank, the Portuguese flyer stormed into the area and turned the ball into the bottom corner! It’s Milan 1-0 Genoa.
MILAN WRAP IT UP! Making an impact from the bench, Messias receives the ball from Rebic on the right side of the six-yard box and fires at goal. Though Sirigu makes an excellent initial save down to his left, the Brazilian reacts first to slam the ball into the roof of the net for Milan’s second goal. It’s 2-0 to the Rossoneri.
So, what’s next?
Genoa have still won the fewest games – now two in 33 Serie A matches – and also drawn the most (16) throughout the top five European leagues during the 2021-22 campaign, and they look bound for Serie B unless they can come out on top in a six-pointer with Cagliari next weekend. Milan, meanwhile, have a Coppa Italia semi-final second leg against title rivals Inter to look forward to on Tuesday.
