GENOA v AC MILAN: OPPONENT REVIEW

After the 0-0 draw away to Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League, AC Milan now go to face Genoa at the Ferraris in search of another victory to remain top of the table. Thanks to six wins and only one defeat, the Rossoneri have picked up 18 points so far this season, their third-best start ever after seven games, one point less than the 19 collected in the 2021/22 and 2003/04 seasons. Genoa are also in good form, especially at home, where they drew with current champions Napoli (2-2) and beat Roma (4-1) in their last two games.

If they win on Saturday, the Rossoblù will have earned two wins in their opening four home games in the top-flight for the first time since 2018/19 (three wins and a defeat on that occasion). Meanwhile, Stefano Pioli's squad is showing great consistency in Serie A, having scored at least one goal in their last five away games with an average 1.8 goals per game. Overall, since the beginning of May, only Inter (36) have scored more than the Rossoneri (27). After the 2-0 win over Lazio, AC Milan would obtain at least two wins on the spin without conceding for the first time since last February (victories against Torino, Monza and Atalanta), should they beat Genoa.

SET-PIECES AND WINNING BACK POSSESSION HIGH UP THE PITCH: THE STRENGTHS OF GILARDINO'S SIDE
What tactics does Gilardino's side employ? In the opening seven league games, Genoa have scored four goals from corners - more than any other side - and all in front of their home fans, despite having taken the least number in the competition so far (eleven). Furthermore, the Rossoblù are also among the leading scorers for headed goals in this season's Serie A: three for the Grifone, behind only Fiorentina (six) and Roma (five). As well as set-pieces, Genoa have shown to win back possession very quickly high up in the opposition's half: the Ligurians are one of two sides to have netted the most number of times in this attacking context (three, like Inter).

In addition, these three goals by the Rossoblù all came in their last two games against Roma (two) and Udinese (one). But the Grifone have shown some shortcomings, particularly in possession. In fact, Genoa have the lowest average percentage for keeping the ball (34.6%) and are second (74.4%), after Hellas Verona (73.7%), for the lowest percentage of successful passes made; specifically, they have made the lowest number of passes in the opponent's half (680). If pressed, Genoa could find themselves in trouble in the game.

THE GUÐMUNDSSON-RETEGUI CONNECTION  AND THE EFFICIENCY OF FRENDRUP
Genoa's two most in-form players make up Alberto Gilardino's side's most important attacking threat: Albert Guðmundsson and Mateo Retegui. The first, scorer of a brace in the last game with Udinese, is in excellent form, demonstrating how his offensive qualities are contributing to every result for the Grifone. The forward has created the most number of chances for his team this season (twelve, at least six more than any other teammate) and is the second-best dribbler in the competition, having successfully completed 17, one less than Matias Soulé of Frosinone (18) and one more than tomorrow's opponent, Rafael Leão (16).

Retegui, who has a slight knee injury, has been involved in three of their last four league goals (two goals and one assist), scoring in the two previous games played at the Ferraris (against Napoli and Roma). As well as the two Rossoblù centre-forwards, a special mention must go to Morten Frendrup: the Danish player has already provided three assists in his 630 minutes of football played this season and no other midfielder has done better. Beyond this stat, the 22-year-old, together with Adrien Rabiot, is the midfielder to have won the most duels in this season's campaign so far (48 apiece), showing his importance in the team press and winning the ball back.

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