BACK TO WINNING WAYS
Serie A
It was an authoritative performance. AC Milan came away from Marassi with all three points thanks to a goal from Ibra and a Junior Messias brace - the latter making his first start of the season. After taking just one point in their last three league games, the Rossoneri rediscovered their form: good football, a good result and an unbreached defence. And talking about the defence, the only sour note of the match at the Ferraris was the injury to Kjær, which is yet to be assessed. Ibra opened the scoring with a free-kick and the Rossoneri went on to dominate the game, risking very little at the back and wrapping up the result with two goals from Messias.
The Diavolo needed a big result after the defeat to Sassuolo at San Siro, and the team's reaction was splendid. Another positive was the return of Tomori, who - throughout the game - was flanked by three different players: first Kjær, then Gabbia and finally Kalulu. Maignan also left his mark on the win having made two particularly stunning stops in the second half. Everyone was involved. AC Milan now head into back-to-back home games: Salernitana at 15:00 CET on Saturday and then Liverpool on Tuesday for the final matchday of the UCL group stage.
CHECK OUT THE GALLERY FROM GENOA V AC MILAN
REPORT
The evening began badly for the Rossoneri, with Kjær picking up an injury to his left knee and being forced off. Despite this setback, after a prolonged spell of pressure, AC Milan took the lead through Ibra in the tenth minute: the Swede found the net with a perfectly placed free kick that left Sirigu rooted to the spot. Zlatan then had three further chances: first, he turned wide following Hernández’s ball across (12’); then, he was denied by a great Vanheusden block (17’); finally, he connected with the ball on the bounce but fired over with his right foot (18’). Genoa looked to respond, with Rovella blasting off target from distance. Brahim sprang to life in the 36th minute as he dribbled his way into the box, only to overdo it slightly and allow Sirigu to collect. Messias also had an effort that Sirigu comfortably saved. Brahim produced another great run with 42 minutes on the clock, but the Spaniard failed to keep the ball down at the end of it. The Diavolo then scored their second in added time: Krunić’s shot was blocked and ricocheted into the sky, with Messias planting a header into the far top corner.
The second half began and Florenzi, on as a half-time substitute, played in a ball for Ibra, whose finish was straight at Sirigu. A few moments later, Maignan produced a magnificent flying save to keep out Hernani’s header, with Tomori then completing the job with an acrobatic clearance. With 56 minutes on the clock, Genoa gave the ball away at the back and thus presented Krunić with an opportunity, but the Bosnian shot wide. The Rossoneri’s third arrived shortly afterwards, Messias again with the goal, slotting home from Díaz's assist. In the 79th minute, Maignan was alert to tip Portanova's lob from halfway over the bar. AC Milan continued to push and only a last-gasp intervention from Bani stopped Theo from bagging a fourth. The Rossoneri controlled the final stages and saw out the win, it ended 3-0.
MATCH DETAILS
GENOA 0-3 AC MILAN
GENOA (3-5-2): Sirigu; Vanheusden, Masiello (77' Bani), Vásquez; Ghighlione, Sturaro (46' Hernani), Badelj (62' Galdames), Rovella (77' Portanova), Cambiaso; Bianchi (62' Pandev), Ekuban. Subs: Marchetti, Semper; Biraschi, Sabelli; Behrami, Touré; Buksa. Coach: Shevchenko.
AC MILAN (4-2-3-1): Maignan; Kalulu, Kjær (4' Gabbia) (46' Florenzi), Tomori, Hernández; Tonali (76' Bakayoko), Kessie; Messias, Díaz (76' Saelemaekers), Krunić; Ibrahimović (60' Pellegri). Subs: Mirante, Tătărușanu; Ballo-Touré, Conti; Leão, Maldini. Coach: Pioli.
Referee: Sacchi from Macerata.
Goal: 10' Ibrahimović (M), 46' Messias (M), 61' Messias (M).
Booked: 31' Gabbia (M), 67' Masiello (G), 73' Rovella (G).
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