AC Milan scored twice in as many minutes as they came from behind to defeat Genoa 2-1 in Serie A on Monday.
2024/2025 Serie A
1-2
Match Report
The hosts, who were winless in the previous seven meetings, had the first chance of note when Brooke Norton-Cuffy burst past his man and into the box, only for Mike Maignan to pounce low to his right and tip the resulting shot to safety.
The goalkeeper was on hand again shortly afterwards to make an even better stop from Junior Messias, whose stabbed effort from point-blank range was heading into the bottom corner.
Sergio Conceicao’s side eventually grew into proceedings, and they finally tested Nicola Leali in the 38th minute when Theo Hernandez saw a speculative 25-yard strike saved.
Moments later, Stefano Sabelli’s swinging effort was kept out the other end, before the Genoa goalkeeper was called upon for a second time, this time superbly dashing off his line to block Christian Pulisic’s drive and ensure the two teams went to the break all square.
Driving rain at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris was making things more and more difficult as the match proceeded, with players from both sides struggling to stay on their feet. Chances still flowed though, as Hernandez had a long-range free-kick saved.
Patrick Vieira’s side then saw Frendrup whip the wrong side of the post, before substitute Vitinha, who had only been on the field for a matter of seconds, scored with his first touch, ending a year-long drought by converting with a delicate volley from a delicious Aaron Martin cross.
Milan, who have picked up the joint-second most number of points from losing positions in Serie A this season, and they duly did through their own substitute, Rafael Leao, who saw a deflected strike from near the penalty spot balloon past Leali.
Seconds later, the comeback was complete, as Frendrup inadvertently smuggled a cross into his own net, shattering Genoa hearts in the process.
Indeed, they struggled to find any real response and ultimately slipped to a third successive defeat that damages their hopes of ending a ten-year wait for a top-half finish in Serie A, whereas their visitors have won three away games in a row for the first time since March 2024.
Data Debrief: Never say never
Milan have been masters of the comeback this season. They have now collected 19 points from losing positions, more than any other Serie A team.
The Rossoneri, who created chances worth 1.09 expected goals to Genoa's 0.57, have now won five of their last eight Serie A games (D1 L2), the same number of wins collected in their previous 14 league matches (D4 L5).
Leao was crucial to their comeback as he maintained his fine form on the road. The forward has been involved in five goals (three goals, two assists) in his last six away appearances in Serie A.
In fact, Leao is one of the three players with at least eight goals and eight assists in Serie A this term, alongside Christian Pulisic (10 goals, eight assists) and Romelu Lukaku (12 goals, 10 assists).
Match Events
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0' Match Event for Genoa vs Milan
8' Highlight from Genoa vs Milan
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57' Match Event for Genoa vs Milan
58' Match Event for Genoa vs Milan
61' GOAL! Genoa 1-0 Milan (Vitinha)
70' Match Event for Genoa vs Milan
76' GOAL! Genoa 1-1 Milan (Rafael Leão)
77' OWN GOAL! Genoa 1-2 Milan (Morten Frendrup)
93' Highlight from Genoa vs Milan
Line-ups
Genoa XI: Nicola Leali, Stefano Sabelli, Morten Thorsby, A.Martín, Pinamonti, Junior Messias, Johan Vásquez, Morten Frendrup, Koni De Winter, Brooke Norton-Cuffy, Patrizio Masini
Subs: Badelj, Benjamin Siegrist, Bani, Daniele Sommariva, Alessandro Zanoli, Vitinha, Sebastian Otoa, Lior Kassa, Jeff Ekhator, Lorenzo Venturino, Honest Ahanor
Milan XI: Maignan, Loftus-Cheek, Jovic, Tomori, Theo, Pulisic, Gabbia, Reijnders, Youssouf Fofana, S. Pavlovic, Jimenez
Subs: Walker, Florenzi, Sportiello, Chukwueze, Felix, Santiago Gimenez, Leao, Yunus Musah, Malick Thiaw, Terracciano, Davide Bartesaghi, Torriani, Francesco Camarda