ROSSONERI DEFEAT GENOA ON MD37
Serie A
After 100 very long minutes, we're back to winning ways! The Rossoneri secured the win on Serie A matchday 37 in their match away to Genoa, winning 2-1 thanks to a penalty from Nkunku in the 51st minute and then a strike from Athekame in the 81st minute. Genoa pulled one back in the 86th minute through Vásquez but couldn't complete the comeback. With this win, AC Milan have gained three points following two defeats and thus consolidate their position in the top four, with one match left to play in the season. Allegri's side showed character and determination in a bid to put an end to a turbulent last couple of weeks. In a high-stakes match, the team beat their opponents and overcame the tension to secure the win.
The team showed good organisation, defensive solidity and strong attacking play when it came to the chances created. After a tight first half, Nkunku's penalty-kick broke the deadlock. From then onwards, the management of the match was solid, with Athekame doubling our lead before Vásquez pulled one back for the hosts. Destiny is now in our hands: the final day of the season sees us against Cagliari, as we aim to win in order to officially qualify for next season's Champions League. The first step has been taken, now it's time for calm heads and cold blood to complete the job.
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MATCH REPORT
It was a tight first half with few chances and plenty of mistakes - a clear sign of what was at stake, especially for the Rossoneri. AC Milan grew into the game towards the end of the half, coming closest in the 39th minute: Rabiot's dangerous cross was put behind for a corner by Marcandalli, before Fofana's header was saved by Bijlow. That late momentum didn't break the deadlock after the first 45 minutes, but it laid the foundations for a strong start to the second half. Indeed, after the break, AC Milan stepped it up a notch. In the 48th minute, Nkunku was brought down by Bijlow, winning and calmly converting the resulting penalty to put us in front.
Genoa tried to respond, but AC Milan stayed in control, organised and calm throughout. Allegri made his first changes in the 68th minute, bringing on Ricci and Füllkrug, both of whom added fresh energy and helped push the team higher up the pitch. Then, after being set up by Pulisic, Athekame drilled home from the edge of the box to double our advantage (81'). Vásquez pulled one back to set up a tense finish (86'), but AC Milan managed the closing stages well, even going close to a third through Rabiot and Pulisic in stoppage time. The full-time whistle came in the 101st minute, with the Rossoneri running out 2-1 winners at Marassi.
MATCH DETAILS
GENOA 1-2 AC MILAN
GENOA (4-3-1-2): Bijlow; Ellertson, Otoa, Marcandalli, Vásquez; Malinovskyi, Amorim (91' Martín), Frendrup; Baldanzi (64' Ekhator), Vitinha; Colombo. Subs.: Leali, Sommariva; Doucouré, Klišys, Ouedraogo, Sabelli, Zätterström; Grossi, Lafont, Masini; Ekuban. Coach: De Rossi.
AC MILAN (3-5-2): Maignan; Tomori (76' De Winter), Gabbia, Pavlović; Athekame, Fofana (68' Ricci), Jashari (85' Loftus-Cheek), Rabiot, Bartesaghi; Nkunku (76' Pulisic), Gimenez (68' Füllkrug). Subs.: Terracciano, Torriani; Odogu, Vladimirov; Modrić, Sardo; Balentien. Coach: Allegri.
Referee: Sozza from Seregno.
Goal: 51' pen. Nkunku (M), 81' Athekame (M), 87' Vásquez (G).
Booked: 48' Bijlow (G), 62' Gabbia (M), 63' Vitinha (G), 71' Tomori (M), 86' Ricci (M).
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