PULISIC GRABS LATE WINNER AT GENOA
Serie A
This team never stops fighting. Tonight’s game at the Ferraris ended in incredible fashion, with the Rossoneri beating Genoa 1-0 thanks to Christian Pulisic’s winner three minutes from time. The American’s goal - his fourth of the season in Serie A - marked the start of an action-packed finish which saw Olivier Giroud make a decisive contribution between the sticks following Mike Maignan’s sending-off in stoppage time. Following 105 minutes of football at the Marassi, Stefano Pioli’s men emerged victorious and now sit top of the table going into the international break.
After 85 minutes devoid of any real excitement, and having sought gaps in a tight home defence with their passing throughout, AC Milan finally struck to secure their fourth consecutive league victory. In the process, they kept another clean sheet, which shouldn’t be underestimated given how today’s game ended. There will now be time to think about the next showdown, which will see the Rossoneri face Juventus on Sunday 22 October. Maignan and Theo Hernández won’t be available for the clash, but nothing is beyond this AC Milan side, who always display so much heart and commitment.
CHECK OUT THE GALLERY FROM GENOA v AC MILAN
MATCH REPORT
Only three minutes were on the board before our first chance, a lovely ball through by Chukwueze that Okafor was just unable to control in the box. From another darting pass by the Nigerian on 16 minutes, another move came about that ended with Florenzi's right-footed shot being saved by Martínez. After a dominant opening 15 minutes for the Rossoneri, Genoa replied, with Florenzi and Thiaw blocking Vásquez's attempt after 25 minutes, and then Hernández's dangerous left-footed effort going behind on 28 minutes. We looked to try and drag the Rossoblù defence out of its compact and concentrated defence, but spaces were limited. In the only minute of first-half stoppage time, our best chance came: a patient move ended with Okafor's cross for Chukwueze, but he was unable to gather it under control in front of goal.
The second half started off at a slow tempo. On 55', Reijnders tried to find himself room on the edge of the box, but Martínez, rushing out of his goal, did well to block any possible attempt by the Dutch player. On 65', a strong header at the back post from Leão worked Martínez, who pushed it over the bar for a corner. The game became stretched, and on 76' Maignan did superbly well to stop Drăgușin's powerful strike, before the game sprung to life in the closing stages. We took the lead on 87' through Pulisic, who, on receiving Musah's cross into the box, spun and fired home with his left past Martínez. But it didn't end there, though. In the last of seven minutes of injury-time, Maignan was sent off for a foul on Ekuban outside the box, with Giroud taking over in goal. A few nervous minutes played out, with Oli decisive in getting down to stop Pușcaș, following Guðmundsson's free-kick that deflected onto the bar. Before the final whistle blew, there was time for a second yellow for Martínez, following a foul on Musah: after 105 minutes of action, it ended 1-0 to us!
MATCH DETAILS
GENOA 0-1 AC MILAN
GENOA (4-4-1-1): Martínez; De Winter (90'+14 Leali), Drăgușin, Bani, Vásquez; Sabelli (68' Ekuban), Thorsby, Frendrup, Haps (90'+1 Pușcaș); Malinovskyi (68' Kutlu); Guðmundsson. Subs: Sommariva; Hefti, Martín, Matturro, Vogliacco; Galdames, Jagiełło; Fini. Coach: Gilardino.
AC MILAN (4-3-3): Maignan; Florenzi (66' Calabria), Thiaw, Tomori, Hernández (90'+3 Bartesaghi); Musah, Adli (66' Giroud), Reijnders; Chukwueze (46' Pulisic), Jović, Okafor (46' Leão). Subs: Mirante, Sportiello; Bartesaghi, Pellegrino; Pobega, Romero. Coach: Pioli.
Referee: Piccinini from Forlì.
Goal: 87' Pulisic (M).
Booked: 10' Gilardino (G), 21' Hernández (M), 22' Florenzi (M), 47' Musah (M), 62' Adli (M), 69' De Winter (G), 86' Martínez (G), 90'+11 Tomori (M).
Sent-off: 90'+8 Maignan (M), 90'+13 Martínez (G).
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