AC MILAN V GENOA: DUELS

It's time for a new contest on the pitch. From Torino to Genoa, AC Milan's mission remains the same: get back to winning ways, at San Siro especially. It'll be a hot Friday evening in terms of the weather, the football and also the individual duels. Let's take a look at the Rossoneri and Rossoblù with the best - potential - individual match-ups on Serie A matchday 33:

THEO HERNÁNDEZ v JOHAN VÁSQUEZ
After playing as a centre-back in the early stages of the season, the Mexican has since moved to left-back following the arrival of new Genoa boss Alexander Blessin. A solid defender, Vásquez is a difficult opponent for any player. He currently has more clearances (75) and duels (70) than any other Genoa player. Hernández, on the other hand, is a much more attack-minded full-back and his frequent overlapping runs cause issues for any defensive line. Theo has already provided six assists in Serie A this season and has chipped in with four goals. We are, therefore, discussing two full-backs with diametrically opposed skills, talents and styles of play, but both of whom operate down the left. 

MIKE MAIGNAN v SALVATORE SIRIGU
An eight-year age difference separates the Serie A 'rookie' Mike and the veteran Salvatore. Sirigu, who was born in 1987, is one of the most experienced goalkeepers in the division and is currently in his first season with the Grifone following a long spell with Torino. This season, the Sardinian shot-stopper has played all 32 matches in Serie A, conceding 52 goals and keeping nine clean sheets. He has made 109 total saves and, on average, stops 68% of shots that come his way. Maignan's save percentage, meanwhile, currently stands at 78.7% - only Wolves' José Sá (79%) has done better in Europe's Top-5 leagues this season. Mike has made 26 appearances in Serie A this season and has conceded 19 goals and kept 13 clean sheets.

ISMAËL BENNACER v MILAN BADELJ
The Algerian is back and available to play in midfield after sustaining a knock, which saw him miss our last match. Isma was the Rossoneri's MVP for the month of March and is consistently demonstrating that he is a key figure in Stefano Pioli's side. The Rossoneri's number 4, in fact, has the best average of recoveries per game (6.5) of any current AC Milan player. Should he - as predicted - play against Genoa, it would be his 100th appearance for the Club in all competitions. Facing off against Isma will be the vastly experienced Milan Badelj, who has made more recoveries (110) and interceptions (37) than any other midfielder in Serie A in 2022. Furthermore, the Croatian has completed more passes this season (1,318) than any other Genoa player.  

OLIVIER GIROUD v MATTIA DESTRO
Last but not least, we are comparing the two top goalscorers for their respective sides this season: Giroud has eight goals in Serie A this season (level with Ibra and Leão), while Destro has bagged nine, five of which had been headers. The Genoa striker has already scored five Serie A goals against the Rossoneri and, should he score at San Siro, he would become the first Genoa player to reach double figures in two consecutive seasons since Tomas Skuhravy (three between 1990/91 and 1992/93). However, Destro, who played for AC Milan between February and May 2015, has only scored one goal in his last ten league matches. Giroud whose record at San Siro has been a real asset this season, wants to get back on the scoresheet in front of the home crowd - he hasn't scored since AC Milan v Lazio in the Coppa Italia on 9 February. The French forward, who got back amongst the goals for Les Bleus recently, has reached double figures in all comps for the 15th consecutive season.

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