BORINI AND SUSO LIFT THE ROSSONERI AT MARASSI

The team needed to win and it did so. AC Milan didn't slip up, didn't waste chances and brought home three vital points from the match at Marassi. Both goals came in the second half with Fabio Borini and Suso getting on the scoresheet in a win that sends the Diavolo up to fourth on 34 points, moving above both Rome clubs in the process. It wasn't an easy afternoon in Genoa for the Rossoneri who did well to withstand pressure and contain the opposition before striking at key moments. Despite having a large number of players unavailable (in addition to Romagnoli, Calabria and Kessie, Zapata was forced off), the team showed great character and unity. There were a number of encouraging individual performances, from Bakayoko and Donnarumma above all. Paquetá continued to improve, showing quality and substance. Overall, there were plenty of reasons to be happy and not just due to the position in the table. Focus though, as we cannot allow our guard to drop with a big match coming up at San Siro on Saturday, AC Milan v Napoli will be up next for Gennaro Gattuso's lads.

SEE THE BEST PHOTOS FROM GENOA 0-2 AC MILAN

MATCH REPORT
Early on, the hosts had the first big chance as Biraschi fired just over from the edge of the area. With a new-look midfield, Milan looked to strike in the 20th minute when Suso’s left-foot strike was saved simply by Radu. In the 23rd minute, Kouamé had Donnarumma worried as his header narrowly missed the target. Genoa were on the attack again a few minutes later when Bessa fired at Gigio from a dangerous position. However, the Diavolo had the biggest chance of the half with time running down. Paquetá let fly with a volley from outside the box and the ball struck the post. As time went on, the Brazilian continued to push the tempo and dictate the Rossoneri's attacks. In the 61st minute, one of his balls picked out Borini whose left-foot shot forced a save from Radu. In the 68th minute, there were two chances for the Grifone. First, Donnarumma saved from Veloso before recovering to deny Bessa's follow-up effort. The opening goal came from the next move. Conti got away on the right and played it for Borini in the middle who made no mistake from close range. Four minutes later, Genoa responded and Gigio had to tip a powerful Veloso effort on to the bar. It was a lively match until the 83rd minute when AC Milan finished it off. Cutrone played an inch-perfect ball to Suso who beat Radu with an accurate shot across goal after going clean through against the goalkeeper. That was the moment that ended the game as a contest.

MATCH DETAILS

GENOA 0-2 AC MILAN

GENOA: Radu; Biraschi (73' Pereira), Zukanovic, Romero, Criscito; Romulo, Rolon, Veloso (84' Dalmonte), Bessa, Lazovic; Kouamé, Pandev (58' Favilli). Subs.: Vodisek, Lisandro Lopez, Lakicevic, Gunter, Pezzella, Russo, Romulo. Coach: Prandelli.

AC MILAN: Donnarumma G.; Abate, Musacchio, Zapata (13' Conti), Rodriguez; Paquetá, Bakayoko, Calhanoglu; Suso (88' Castillejo), Cutrone, Borini. Subs.: Reina, Donnarumma A., Laxalt, Simic, Strinic, Bertolacci, Mauri, Montolivo, Torrasi, Tsadjout. Coach: Riccio.

Referee: Daniele Orsato from Schio.
Goals: 72' Borini (M), 83' Suso (M).
Booked: 8' Borini (M), 41' Romero (G), 45' Cutrone (M), 58' Paquetá (M), 70' Rolon (G), 77' Zukanovic (G).

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