AC Milan battled back from a goal down to secure a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Genoa on a rain-soaked Monday night in Serie A. Goals from Rafael Leão and a fortuitous own goal by Genoa’s Morten Frendrup helped the Rossoneri turn the tide in the second half after a lacklustre first-half performance. Despite the win, Milan’s hopes for European qualification remain dim, as they continue to trail Juventus by six points with only three rounds of the league campaign remaining.
A Wet and Nervy Start
The conditions at San Siro were far from ideal, with relentless rain falling throughout the match, making it difficult for both sides to maintain any fluidity. Genoa adapted more effectively in the early stages, pressing Milan aggressively and exploiting spaces with well-organised movement and passing. The visitors looked the more threatening side for much of the first half and were unfortunate not to take the lead earlier.
Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan was undoubtedly the standout performer in the first 45 minutes, pulling off a series of impressive saves that kept his team level. He denied efforts from Vitinha and Mateo Retegui and showed quick reflexes and strong positioning to frustrate Genoa’s attacking advances. His performance gave Milan a lifeline as they struggled to create meaningful chances going forward.
Genoa Take the Lead
Genoa’s persistence finally paid off in the 61st minute when substitute Vitinha, who had only just entered the pitch a minute earlier, made an immediate impact. A well-timed cross found him unmarked inside the Milan penalty area, and the Portuguese forward smashed home a powerful shot past Maignan with his first touch. The goal was a deserved reward for Genoa, who had controlled much of the tempo and intensity.
Milan’s Quickfire Response
Down by a goal and with the clock ticking, Milan finally found their spark. Rafael Leão, who had been relatively quiet until that point, stepped up when it mattered. In the 76th minute, he latched onto a cross from Santiago Gimenez and fired a shot that deflected off a Genoa defender, wrong-footing goalkeeper Nicola Leali and nestling into the back of the net. The equaliser brought life into the San Siro crowd and re-energised the Milan squad.
Barely two minutes later, Milan found themselves in front under bizarre circumstances. A cross from the left caused panic in the Genoa box, and in an attempt to clear the ball, Morten Frendrup inadvertently sliced it into his own net. It was a cruel blow for Genoa, who had looked in control for most of the match, but it proved decisive.
Late Drama and Reflection
In stoppage time, Milan nearly added a third when Leão unleashed a thunderous shot from outside the box, forcing Leali into a full-stretch save to deny him a brace. Genoa attempted to mount a final charge, but Milan’s defence, bolstered by the introduction of Fikayo Tomori, held firm.
After the match, Milan manager Sergio Conceição expressed mixed emotions. While he was pleased with the fighting spirit his team showed, he acknowledged the shortcomings in their performance.
“We always try to improve. We work on individual and group levels. We work a lot,” Conceição told reporters. “The players responded well, which shows we have a group that believes in what we do at Milanello. I’m pleased with that. But in terms of our game plan, we could’ve done better in possession during the first half.”
He continued: “We played against a tough team on a tough pitch. Credit to the opponent—but we could have looked for depth more. On the goal we conceded, collectively, we could have done more.”
European Race Tightens
The victory keeps Milan in ninth place with 57 points, still six points behind Juventus, who occupy the final Champions League spot. With only three matches left in the season, Milan must win all their remaining fixtures and hope for a slip-up from their rivals to secure a place in Europe’s top-tier competition.
Adding to the pressure is their upcoming double clash with Bologna—first in the league and then in the Coppa Italia final. The outcomes of those matches will likely define Milan’s season and determine whether Conceição’s side can salvage what has been an inconsistent campaign.
