If three clues make a proof – as Italians are used to say – Milan failing to make a full score for the second time in a row, after struggling to re-balance their game with Verona last month, tells us that the Rossoneri‘s march is dangerously slowing down.
Rolando Maran’s Genoa held Milan to a 2-2 draw as they benefited of a sumptuous performance on the part of Mattia Destro – who bagged a brace against his former club. The Rossoblu gained one point that might end up being vital when it comes to their battle to avoid relegation but, more than that, will receive a good boost to their morale after testing hard the currently top-placed team.
Stefano Pioli, on the other hand, must thank two unexpected goal-scorers in the person of defenders Davide Calabria and Pierre Kalulu to extend his non-losing streak a little further, but with Inter making a full score against Napoli, his lead over the cross-town rivals Nerazzurri is now reduced to one point only. As of Saturday, Milan were still five points clear of Inter.
The Rossoneri coach can be partially excused in view of their multiple absences, with Theo Hernandez’s injury adding to those of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Simon Kjaer, Ismael Bennacer, and Matteo Gabbia. Still, Milan evidenced a shaky defense – as Kalulu might have shown some qualities as a goal-scorer, but needs to work on his defensive qualities. Pioli’s offensive phase should have been better as well, as his front-line failed to trouble the opposition for most of the first half.
And so, it was Genoa to take the initiative and to come closer to trouble the scorers before half time. On 35 minutes, Mattia Destro worked his way between Pierre Kalulu and Alessio Romagnoli before unleashing a shot that ended only inches away from Gianluigi Donnarumma’s far post.
Right after the restart, Milan’s defensive struggles from these past few weeks came afloat again as Destro found the back of the net this time. The 29-year-old pounced on Gianluigi Donnarumma’s save from a Eldor Shomurodov shot to draw first blood for the Rossoblu.
Genoa’s lead lasted only five minutes, however, as Davide Calabria re-balanced the scoresheet with a brilliant shot from sidereal distance that caught Mattia Perin unprepared.
But Destro had not had enough and on the one-hour mark put the Grifone ahead again with a terrific header conversion, getting the best of Kalulu from a Paolo Ghiglione cross from the right flank and making the ball bounce into Donnarumma’s goal for the second time.
Pioli made a few changes, sending in Jens Petter Hauge and Alexis Saelemaekers for Rebic and Samu Castillejo. It was the Norwegian to come closer to an equalizer as on 77 minutes he was released by Rafael Leao and conjured a shot that missed the goal target by a few inches.
Milan’s savior, however, surprisingly turned out to be 20-year-old Pierre Kalulu, who deflected home an Alessio Romagnoli suggestion from a corner kick taken by Hakan Calhanoglu. It was the first Serie A goal for the former Lyon man and it came during his second cap as a starter.
Considering the trend the match had taken, Pioli could be content with salvaging at least one point, just like on Sunday night against Parma.
A draw could be also ok for Rolando Maran and his Rossoblu, but Genoa showed that they wanted more than that and it took a super save on the part of Donnarumma to keep the score at 2-2, the portierone springing to his left to push back an acrobatic effort from Gianluca Scamacca.
Milan are still unbeaten in Serie A, but must be surely feeling Inter’s breathe down their neck. And their next match on the road at Sassuolo, while Inter receive Spezia at home, could deliver the Nerazzurri a golden chance to pass their rivals for the first time this season.
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