Two Genoa mistakes in six minutes end a run built on their defence
Genoa had conceded once in three straight league wins, and against Milan they gave the ball away twice in the first 19 minutes. Alphadjo Cissè and Christian Pulisic scored from the two mistakes, and Mikael Ellertsson's goal two minutes from time came too late to save the run.
Johan Vásquez lost the ball on the right in the 13th minute, Adrien Rabiot rolled it across, and Alphadjo Cissè swept it in first time with the inside of his right foot. Six minutes later Alessandro Marcandalli's back-pass was cut out by Gonçalo Ramos, who chose to set up Christian Pulisic rather than shoot, and Pulisic guided it in just inside the post. Milan won 2-1 at the Ferraris on two goals Genoa made for them.
Genoa
- 1Franz Stolz
- 2Alexsandro Amorim
- 3Mario Mitaj
- 4Djibril Sow
- 5Daniele Sommariva
- 6Ethan Meichtry
- 7Lorenzo Venturino
- 8Elias Havel
- 9Tommaso Baldanzi
- 10Stephan El Shaarawy
- 11Sebastian Otoa
- 12David Puczka
- 13Lorenzo Colombo
- 14Cody Drameh
- 15Stefano Sabelli
Milan
- 1Omari Hutchinson
- 2Léo-Paul Bouyer
- 3Francesco Camarda
- 4Pervis Estupiñán
- 5Valeri Vladimirov
- 6Ardon Jashari
- 7Lorenzo Torriani
- 8Filippo Terracciano
- 9Davide Bartesaghi
- 10Christian Comotto
Genoa's run of three straight league wins had been built at the back. Justin Bijlow conceded once against Venezia, Juventus and Lecce; here Milan scored twice in six minutes, and both goals began with a Genoa defender on the ball.
Genoa had the chances to recover. Milutin Osmajic's drive in the first minute went just wide, his goal on the half-hour was ruled out for offside, and Mike Maignan, back from his European ban, saved from Samuel Wiafe before half-time and from Vitinha in the 73rd minute after a Yunus Musah mistake. Early in the second half Milan wanted Marcandalli sent off for bringing down Rabiot. He was booked, and three members of Milan's staff, the team doctor among them, were sent from the bench for their protests.
Genoa's goal came two minutes from time. Stephan El Shaarawy's free-kick hit the wall, the ball fell to Mikael Ellertsson, and his left-footed shot from the edge of the area went past Maignan. It was not enough: Genoa have now gone seven meetings without beating Milan since October 2023.
Rúben Amorim said on Thursday, after the 2-0 home defeat by Ferencváros, that Milan were not ready to compete on two fronts. His sentence still describes Europe, where they have lost three of four. In Serie A, for the third time since 22 October, Milan have won three days after a defeat.
