Rafael Leao scored a one-touch volley as Milan moved back into first with a 2-0 win over Genoa.
The game was a defensive affair, with a majority of the offense coming late in the second half as both sides began to tire. Rafael Leao and Theo Hernandez were effective on the left wing, forcing Genoa’s backline into desperate tackles. Likewise, the Rossoneri backline was in fine form and gave up just one genuine chance in 90 minutes.
After a run of disappointing results, Stefano Pioli changed his starting eleven significantly. Once again, the manager tried to play Franck Kessié as the advanced midfielder, while Matteo Gabbia started at center-back, and Pierre Kalulu shifted over to left-back.
Genoa deployed a 4-3-3, with Caleb Ekuban and Atalanta loanee Roberto Piccoli as the two forwards. Nadiem Amiri supported the duo as the creative number ten/false nine, while the young Leo Skiri Ostigard anchored the defense at center-back.
#MilanGenoa: the line-up ?@IsmaelBennacer's back ?#SempreMilan @EASPORTSFIFA pic.twitter.com/7OnCAllzG8
— AC Milan (@acmilan) April 15, 2022
The First Half
It took just ten minutes for Milan to open the scoring. Kalulu, pushing high up the wing, played a brilliant ball toward the back-post, looking for Leao. The winger beat his man and easily put a first-time volley into the back of the net.
After the sudden opening goal, both sides seemed to relax, and the match became quite defensive. Gabbia and Fikayo Tomori did well shutting down Piccoli, while Leao had problems finding space against Mattia Bani and Silvan Hefti on the wing.
Milan’s next chance came when Kessié found Alexis Saelemaekers open in the box. However, the Belgian, who had time and space, inexplicably wasted the opportunity, sending the ball well over the crossbar from just ten yards out.
In added time, Pablo Galdames received the ball in the box facing Gabbia. The midfielder easily created an opening and fired a shot at goal, but it flew just high, ensuring that the first half ended 1-0.
?? Gli undici Grifoni per #MilanGenoa! pic.twitter.com/Y3G3IOMT39
— Genoa CFC (@GenoaCFC) April 15, 2022
The Second Half
Early in the second half, a poor turnover by Ostigard allowed Saelemaekers a breakaway chance. However, the Genoa backline recovered exceptionally well, and without any options, Saelemaekers could do nothing but force a hapless shot toward the goal.
Later, Saelemaekers had another opportunity to double Milan’s lead. He played a cross to an open Giroud in the box, but it was marginally behind the striker, who failed to put his volley on target.
Eventually, Pioli sensed that his side needed an attacking boost. After an unconvincing performance from Giroud and Saelemaekers, the manager removed the pair, replacing them with Junior Messias and Ante Rebic.
As time wound down, Leao became more and more comfortable on the ball. With 15 minutes left, he made a nice cut towards goal and fired off a shot, but it was not enough to beat Salvatore Sirigu.
With the match nearly over, Milan sparked a breakaway, and Junior Messias received the ball from a cross. The Brazilian did not miss from close-range, firing a ferocious shot into the net to confirm the win for the Rossoneri.