Not an edifying spectacle by any means, but Milan scrape over the line today with what is ultimately a two-goal win and return to the Serie A summit - two points clear of Inter, but having played one game more. Clear-cut chances were few and far between in a staccato affair, which was dominated by regular stoppages; denying either side any real rhythm. Nonetheless, the Rossoneri post a sixth straight clean sheet - though were indebted to Maignan's fine stop at the end for preserving that record - and consign Genoa to yet another defeat.
Genoa have still won the fewest games - now two in 33 Serie A matches - and also drawn the most (16) throughout the top five European leagues during the 2021-22 campaign, and they look bound for Serie B unless they can come out on top in a six-pointer with Cagliari next weekend. Milan, meanwhile, have a Coppa Italia semi-final second leg against title rivals Inter to look forward to on Tuesday.
That's all from San Siro today, so thank you for joining us and goodbye!
Cronaca
Formazioni
Statistiche
90'+5'
FULL-TIME: MILAN 2-0 GENOA23:02
90'+4'
SHARP STOP! Maignan makes a superb reflex save down to his left side, after Hernani powers a header from near the penalty spot towards the bottom-right corner. Brilliant goalkeeping!23:01
90'+4'
Hernandez is fouled again, and Gudmundsson goes into the referee's notebook - the substitute is shown a yellow card.22:59
90'+1'
Bani comes off in stoppage time; Hernani is thrown on.22:58
89'
GOAL CONFIRMED! After viewing the goal from several angles, the VAR agrees with the on-field officials and the goal stands!22:57
88'
VAR CHECK! The Milan fans' joy is quickly interrupted, as the VAR decides to review Messias' goal for a possible handball or offside in the build-up. Will it stand?22:57
87'
MILAN WRAP IT UP! Making an impact from the bench, Messias receives the ball from Rebic on the right side of the six-yard box and fires at goal. Though Sirigu makes an excellent initial save down to his left, the Brazilian reacts first to slam the ball into the roof of the net for Milan's second goal. It's 2-0 to the Rossoneri - surely game over!
Bennacer also makes way, with Diaz coming on.22:52
86'
A rare bright light amid another dull display for Milan, Leao is replaced by the more defensive option of Ballo-Toure on the left.22:51
84'
Lunging recklessly into a challenge on Vasquez, Tonali becomes the first Milan player booked. He is always a combative presence in midfield, but that tackle was a little too forceful for the referee.22:50
82'
Melegoni upends Krunic with a late tackle near the touchline, and the makeshift full-back goes crashing to the turf with a yelp of pain. He is able to return to the fray soon afterwards, though, and his opponent escapes without a yellow card.22:49
80'
Despite the match being marred by numerous needless fouls, a reckless Yeboah challenge on Hernandez brings about the first booking today.22:46
78'
Kessie guides a tame shot straight at Sirigu from 20 yards out, and the veteran keeper collects the ball with ease down at his feet.22:45
76'
SAVE! Sirigu is called upon for the first time in a while, as Leao's angled drive from the left side of the area has to be palmed away at the Genoa goalkeeper's near post!22:43
74'
Milan's defensive woes continue, as Gabbia has picked up a knock and Krunic will have to come on as an improvised full-back. Kalulu shifts to the centre.22:41
72'
Frendrup's game is brought to an early conclusion, as Yeboah comes on in his place.22:40
72'
Genoa make another double substitution. First, the intermittently impressive Amiri is replaced by Gudmundsson.22:39
71'
The game remains quite aimless inside the final 20 minutes, but - needing a win to overtake Inter - Milan are still in some jeopardy of conceding an equaliser on the break.23:13
69'
Attempting a raking pass on the counter, Amiri's long throughball picks out Destro, but the Genoa striker is immediately signalled offside.23:12
66'
Again the man to make something happen for Milan, Leao slips a cute ball through to Rebic on the left side of the area, but the Croatia international's cutback is easily blocked and a flag for offside is then raised..22:35
64'
Helping out his back four, Tonali battles well near the corner flag and earns a free-kick for Milan despite being penned in and outnumbered.22:31
62'
Rebic also returns to the Milan front line, and it is Giroud who makes way.22:28
61'
Pioli has decided to freshen things up a little in attack, as Messias arrives in place of Saelemaekers on the right wing.21:32
59'
At the end of a Genoa counter-attack, the ball bobbles up and strikes Gabbia, and it briefly threatens to loop over Maignan and into the goal. The Milan goalkeeper is well placed, though, and makes a routine save.22:26
57'
CLOSE! With a trademark acrobatic volley at the back post, Giroud steers an effort at goal just wide from Saelemaekers' cross. He could perhaps have done better with that, but it was a tight enough angle.22:25
56'
Only just onto the pitch, Destro attempts a speculative shot from nearly 40 yards out, but misses the target by quite a margin to the left.22:23
55'
Piccoli is also replaced, as former Milan man Destro comes on up front.22:21
55'
Though his side have improved a little, Blessin still sees fit to make a couple of early changes in the second half. First, the ineffective Ekuban makes way for Melegoni.22:20
53'
In the early stages of the second half, Genoa have been more prepared to get on the ball, and they have had 59 per cent of possession since the interval - a vast improvement in that regard.22:19
51'
MISS! Again presented with an opportunity to score Milan's second, Saelemaekers slips at the vital moment and skews his shot wide of the right post. The ball careers into the stands, where the fans' frustration with the winger is plainly clear.22:17
49'
A rare chance on the ball for Giroud is immediately halted by the referee's whistle, as the French forward narrowly fails to get back onside before receiving the ball in a central area. It has been a very quiet day for the former Arsenal striker.23:12
47'
Amiri and Badelj combine just outside the Milan box, but Kessie intervenes and sets up Leao for a lung-bursting run down the left flank on the counter. However, the wide man ultimately overruns the ball out of play on the left byline.22:13
46'
We are back under way at a nervous Stadio Giuseppe Meazza!22:09
As a measure of Milan's recent defensive achievements, Pioli would become just the third coach in the club's history to post at least six successive clean sheets during a single Serie A season if his team shut Genoa out for another 45 minutes. Not only that, but no side have kept more clean sheets than the Rossoneri in Serie A this term:14, level with title rivals Inter.22:08
Though leading at the interval, it has been another disjointed display from Milan so far, as the pressure of the Scudetto race continues to take its toll. Four minutes of stoppage time were required due to the amount of breaks in play for a seemingly endless series of fouls, and Genoa's attempts at spoiling the game have worked up to a point, but they must somehow produce a goal in the second half. That seems unlikely, as their forward line has been tepid so far, and their hosts boast one of the most effective rearguards on the continent.21:59
45'+4'
HALF-TIME: MILAN 1-0 GENOA21:54
45'+2'
CLOSE! Out of nothing, Galdames plucks the ball down out of the air with a feathered touch, turns for goal and strikes just past Maignan's left-hand post! It was a great run and sharp control, but he perhaps should have scored from just inside the area. 21:53
45'
Saelemaekers wastes the first corner of the match - taking it short to Kessie, but then fluffing the return ball behind for a goal-kick.21:52
43'
A rare sniff of the ball for Piccoli is closed down by the speedy intervention of Tomori on the edge of the Milan area, and it looks as though Genoa will end the half without a single shot on target - and just one all told.21:50
41'
Having received medical attention on the touchline, Bani is given the all-clear to continue in the Genoa defence. 21:47
39'
Following a crucial late block on Saelemaekers, who was haring towards a loose ball near the right corner of the penalty area, Bani lies prone on the pitch. The latest player to be injured in a challenge awaits treatment, and the match is paused yet again.21:46
37'
The referee's whistle is working overtime at the moment, as an ever more niggly affair breaks down into a series of needless late tackles. It has been pretty grim stuff so far, but Milan won't mind!21:43
35'
Saelemaekers spurns a good chance to extend Milan's lead, after Kessie picks the Belgian winger out in the area and he slices a hurried shot well over Sirigu's crossbar. 21:42
34'
Leao turns sharply on the left touchline, and after he sprints towards goal, his quick cutback for Kessie is cleared away to safety by Genoa.21:41
32'
Amiri thumps a free-kick into the Milan box straight out of play, with several grey Genoa shirts amassed in the area. Their frustration is clear as they make the long trek back to their defensive posts.21:39
30'
After another brief break in the action, Amiri is able to continue, and the game goes on.21:36
29'
Play is halted again, in an increasingly staccato first half, when Bennacer's rough challenge on Amiri near the centre circle brings the German playmaker down.21:35
28'
Genoa captain Badelj strides forward from midfield and tries his luck with a 20-yard attempt, but it is skewed well wide of Maignan's left-hand post.21:34
27'
Having come out worse from a 50-50 midfield challenge with Saelemaekers, Vasquez limps away from the scene. Though he momentarily sits back down on the turf, he is soon lifted back to his feet by a team-mate and the game goes on. 21:32
24'
Genoa have settled back into a defensive shape, with their ambitions relatively limited at the moment. They have sometimes fared well against the bigger clubs this season - including a pair of draws with Atalanta - but are being outplayed so far today.21:30
22'
Covering across from left-back, Vasquez does well to shepherd Saelemaekers behind to earn a goal-kick when it looked certain a corner would be conceded.21:28
20'
Still wincing, Hernandez is finally back on his feet and slots back into his place in the Milan defence.21:25
18'
Hernandez now hits the deck, after a crude tackle by Bani sends him flying. He will require medical attention, and the match is once again paused.21:24
16'
Milan have won 14 duels to Genoa's three so far, and have had 58 per cent of the possession - outlining their supremacy today.21:23
14'
Leao is fit to continue and rejoins the fray, still looking a little pained. Frendrup was perhaps fortunate to avoid further censure for that foul.21:21
13'
Frendrup steps on Leao's outstretched boot in a challenge by the touchline, and the Milan man goes tumbling to the turf in agony. The game comes to a halt as he receives treatment.21:20
11'
Kalulu created the early opener, as he picked out Leao at the back post with an outswinging cross.21:18
11'
MILAN LEAD! Finally ending their goal drought, the Rossoneri go in front, as Leao finishes a sweeping move with a back-post finish. After Kalulu - only deputising at right-back today - slung an inviting cross in from the flank, the Portuguese flyer stormed into the area and turned the ball into the bottom corner! It's Milan 1-0 Genoa!
In 2022, only Liverpool have conceded fewer goals than Milan's seven across the top five European leagues. Indeed, the Rossoneri have kept a clean sheet in each of their last five league matches. 21:14
7'
As expected, Milan are dictating the tempo of the early stages, but Genoa have been energetic in their closing down; befitting Alexander Blessin's blueprint for the Ligurian club.21:12
5'
Another Hernandez surge ends in disappointment, as his straight throughball into the box is too pacy for Giroud to latch on to.21:09
4'
Ahead of today's game, Milan have won seven of their last 10 league games against Genoa; scoring at least twice on six of those occasions.21:08
2'
A typical Hernandez burst into the left side of the Genoa area ends with the French full-back cutting the ball back towards the penalty spot, but several grey Genoa shirts are in place to block the danger.21:06
1'
We are under way in Milan!21:04
As Inter's victory is confirmed in the earlier match, the players are out on the pitch at San Siro, with kick-off now just moments away!21:02
Genoa adjust the lineup which started the loss to Lazio last week, as Bani replaces Maksimovic in defence, while Frendrup and Ekuban are also included in the first XI. Andrea Cambiaso, Nicolo Rovella and Zinho Vanheusden are among those ruled out by injury, but former Milan striker Destro takes a place on the bench.20:58
Though both Bennacer and Rebic have returned from injury to be involved for Milan today, Davide Calabria belatedly joins Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Alessio Romagnoli and Alessandro Florenzi among others on the sidelines. Bennacer comes straight back into the hosts' starting XI, as Diaz makes way - Kessie will therefore feature in an advanced role, supporting Giroud up front.21:03
SUBS: Federico Marchetti, Adrian Semper, Mattia Destro, Nikola Maksimovic, Manolo Portanova, Domenico Criscito, Andrea Masiello, Hernani, Paolo Ghiglione, Albert Gudmundsson, Kelvin Yeboah, Filippo Melegoni.20:50
GENOA (4-3-1-2): Salvatore Sirigu; Silvan Hefti, Mattia Bani, Leo Ostigard, Johan Vasquez; Morten Frendrup, Milan Badelj, Pablo Galdames; Nadiem Amiri; Roberto Piccoli, Caleb Ekuban. 20:48
SUBS: Ciprian Tatarusanu, Antonio Mirante, Tiemoue Bakayoko, Junior Messias, Ante Rebic, Daniel Maldini, Brahim Diaz, Fode Ballo-Toure, Marko Lazetic, Rade Krunic.20:45
MILAN (4-2-3-1): Mike Maignan; Pierre Kalulu, Matteo Gabbia, Fikayo Tomori, Theo Hernandez; Sandro Tonali, Ismael Bennacer; Alexis Saelemaekers, Franck Kessie, Rafael Leao; Olivier Giroud.21:02
Relegation-threatened Genoa have suffered consecutive league defeats over the last fortnight, against Hellas Verona and Lazio. The Grifone's 4-1 loss at home to the latter means they remain mired in the relegation zone, but a mere three points adrift of safety despite winning just twice all season. Having also won only one of their 16 away fixtures in Serie A - and none since September - they will be outsiders to cause an upset today.20:39
Last week, Milan saw their lead at the top of the table cut to just two points after their second successive goalless draw, this time away to Torino. As arch-rivals Inter currently lead Spezia in the earlier kick-off, maximum points in today's game could be required for the Rossoneri to regain the Serie A summit. Attempting to secure a first Scudetto since 2011, Stefano Pioli's men have scored only four times in the their last seven matches and won two of their last six on home soil.20:36
Hello and welcome to live coverage of today's Serie A encounter between title contenders Milan and struggling Genoa at San Siro!20:31
Dove si gioca la partita:
Stadio: Giuseppe Meazza Città: Milano Capienza: 80074 spettatori20:31
Milan - Genoa is a match of 33 day of the season Serie A 2021/2022. The match will be 15 april at 19:00 in the stadium Giuseppe Meazza in Milano. Referee of Milan - Genoa will be Daniele Chiffi with the help of Matteo Bottegoni e Valerio Vecchi. At VAR there will be Daniele Orsato.
Currently Milan is 1° in the standings with 71 points (thanks of 21 wins, 8 draws and 4 defeats); while Genoa is 19° in the standings with 22 points (thanks of 2 wins, 16 pareggi and 15 sconfitte). Milan scored 58 goals and conceded 29; Genoa scored 24 goals and conceded 54. The first leg Genoa - Milan was played on 1 december 2021 and it ended on a 0-3 score.
At home Milan scored 34 points (10 wins, 4 draws and 3 losses). Away Genoa scored 11 points (1 win, 8 draws and 7 losses). Milan in the last three matches of the season challenged Bologna, Torino and Geno obtaining 5 points thanks to 1 win, 2 draws and 0 losses. Genoa in the last three matches of the season challenged Torino, Verona and Lazio obtaining 3 points thanks to 1 win, 0 draws and 2 losses. In the last match Milan was against Genoa winning 2-0 while Genoa was against Lazio losing 1-4. The best scorer of the team coached by Stefano Pioli is Rafael Leão with 9 goals while the best scorer of the team coached by Alexander Blessin is Mattia Destro with 9 goals.
Milan and Genoa competed 107 times in the league. In the previous matches Milan won 53 times, Genoa won 20 times while the number of draw was 34.
These are the statistics of the two teams in the matches played in the season:
Where to see Milan-Genoa You can see the live match Milan-Genoa here on Virgilio Sport starting 19:00 CET of 15 april. Discover who will broadcast live Milan - Genoa between Sky and Dazn.
