GENOA V AC MILAN: A PREVIOUS MEETING

Genoa v AC Milan, the first time Shevchenko will take on the Rossoneri as an opposition coach. It may seem strange, but this is the present situation. As for the past, the two teams have been involved in numerous exciting fixtures. We’ve selected the one played on 11 March 2018 to start to get us in the matchday mood.

SETTING THE SCENE
It was matchday 28 of the 2017/18 Serie A season and AC Milan were enjoying a great run under Gattuso: the new year had begun with several wins, including against Lazio at San Siro and Roma at the Olimpico, and the Rossoneri were sitting in sixth place (level with Sampdoria). However, it was a terrible time for the world of football and for Italian football in particular: Davide Astori’s passing had come as a huge shock. The devastating news had resulted in the postponement of almost all of the Serie A fixtures scheduled the weekend before, and a truly emotional minute’s silence was held before the match at the Marassi.

AN OPEN GAME BUT NO BREAKTHROUGH
During the week, the Rossoneri had been soundly beaten 2-0 by Arsenal in the Europa League. Aware of the possible repercussions of that defeat, the Diavolo also had to contend with a wet and heavy pitch and a Genoa side that were doing well and close to securing Serie A survival. The Diavolo went on the attack in the first half: Bonaventura fired over early on; then, the same player found Rodríguez, who, in turn picked out Kalinić with a low cross. However, the Croat’s first-time shot was miraculously kept out by Perin. With the 30-minute mark having passed, Galabinov (from close range) and Spolli (from a corner) threatened for the hosts. Jack was again involved as he found the net with the half drawing to a close, but his joy was short-lived due to an offside flag. With the ball rolling again after half-time, it seemed like the second half had begun in the worst possible fashion for the Rossoneri as Rigoni nodded the ball into the net from a free kick, but VAR ruled it out for offside. Not long after, Zukanović somehow missed with the goal at his mercy.

ANDRÉ SILVA’S FIRST SERIE A GOAL
The game changed in the 68th minute, when André Silva came on for Çalhanoğlu. The Portuguese man had joined AC Milan during the previous summer transfer window but, apart from a few successful outings in the Europa League, had yet to really make his mark. Often preferred to Cutrone and Kalinić, the youngster decided to take centre stage at the Marassi, leaving it very late to do so. Four minutes had been added on and exactly 93 minutes and 53 seconds had been played when André Silva met Suso’s ball in and headed home his first Serie A goal. 1-0 and the Rossoneri were still celebrating when the full-time whistle was blown. These were three precious points as the Diavolo dreamt of Champions League qualification, even if they had to settle for a Europa League place in the end.

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