AC MILAN GET BACK TO WINNING WAYS AT SAN SIRO
Serie A
How we missed that winning feeling at San Siro. And how important is this 2-1 win against Genoa which puts a smile back on AC Milan faces as they win at home in the league for the first time in more than two months. This huge victory came about thanks to Rebić's goal in the 13th minute and Scamacca's own goal in the 68th minute, with a provisional equaliser in between, scored by Destro in the 37th minute. It was a performance of ups and downs, with similarities to be drawn to the recent complicated tests at home to Udinese and Sampdoria. The Rossoneri created, scored, and squandered, but also conceded, suffered, and came through some trouble near the end. We can and must do better, but on this day more than ever, the result was the most important.
After matchday 31 in Serie A, the three points bring the Diavolo’s tally to 66, cementing their position alone in second place, and adding another important step towards Champions League qualification, as we await the results in Atalanta v Juventus and Napoli v Inter. There is little time to wait for the Rossoneri to return to action, on Wednesday 21 April at 18:30 CEST, when Sassuolo arrive at San Siro. In the meantime, Pioli’s team will take a good breath of fresh air following the continuation of their work and their journey.
EXPLORE: THE GALLERY FROM AC MILAN v GENOA
MATCH REPORT
The Rossoneri were on the front foot immediately, unlocking the game as early as the 13th minute: From a tight angle, Hernández took a free-kick that was won by Saelemaekers. The wall intercepted the strike, but the ball bounced generously towards Rebić who was well-positioned on the edge of the box to volley the ball into the corner of the net. Another great opportunity came in the 19th minute: Leão, set up in the area by Çalhanoğlu, slipped as he went to strike the ball, and his shot was collected by Perin. It was not a high-tempo game; Destro tried his luck in the 29th minute, Badelj in the 32nd, but Destro came to the fore again in the 37th minute, substantiating the opponent's growth into the game by finding the equaliser, as he beat Tomori to the ball and headed it home following a corner. There is an instant reaction from Kessie whose shot went over in the 38th minute before Saelemaekers' effort went wide in the 44th minute'. Half-time.
The match restarted without any changes. In the 48th minute, Rebić squandered a glorious chance after Kalulu's run and set-up, blazing his shot over the bar from almost zero metres out. The number of chances increased and the Diavolo - although conceding too many chances, mainly from the dangerous Pjaca and Scamacca - went on the attack: Çalhanoğlu missed the target in the 55th minute, while Kjær skimmed the post with a header in the 62nd minute. Fortune favoured AC Milan in the 68th minute: From Çalhanoğlu’s corner, Scamacca got caught in the fray and deflected it into his own goal. The Rossoblù did not give up, and in the 78th minute, Pjaca shot, but off target. After Perin's double save on Rebić in the 75th minute and Çalha in the 78th minute, a huge final thrill came in in the 86th minute: Donnarumma got caught in no-mans-land, and then two shots were miraculously cleared off the line, first from Kjær to block Masiello and then Tomori to deny Behrami. Full-time.
MATCH DETAILS
AC MILAN 2-1 GENOA
AC MILAN (4-2-3-1): G. Donnarumma; Kalulu (62' Dalot), Kjær, Tomori, Hernández; Bennacer (73' Tonali), Kessie; Saelemaekers (62' Díaz), Çalhanoğlu (88' Krunić), Rebić; Leão (62' Mandžukić). Subs: Moleri, Tătărușanu; Gabbia, Romagnoli; Castillejo, Hauge, Meïte. Coach: Pioli.
GENOA (3-5-2): Perin; Goldaniga, Radovanović, Masiello; Ghiglione (57' Biraschi), Strootman (83' Behrami), Badelj, Zajc, Cassata (74' Pandev); Destro (57' Pjaca), Scamacca (74' Shomurodov). Subs: Paleari; Onguéné, Zapata; Czyborra, Melegoni, Portanova, Rovella. Coach: Ballardini.
Referee: Calvarese from Teramo.
Goals: 13' Rebić (M), 37' Destro (G), 68' o.g. Scamacca (M).
Booked: 26' Goldaniga (G).
CHECK OUT THE GALLERY FROM AC MILAN V GENOA
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