Genoa-Milan Preview: On Fire

Going to Genoa  always seems to be an eventful affair. From the fatal stabbing of Genoa fan Vincenzo Spagnolo by a Milan fan in 1995 to the tear gas used on supporters three years ago outside the stadium that delayed the game as it wafted into the stadium, it’s perhaps a less heralded rivalry that always seems to get out of hand at the Marassi. But hopefully Galliani’s peacemaking efforts of giving them way too much money for their players and dumping our poor players on them who turn out to be gold for them will keep the tension at a manageable level and no one gets hurt. Instead of fans literally setting the Marassi on fire, let’s hope that Milan are metaphorically on fire instead.

Is it too much to ask for a trouble-free match from the fans?

The elephant in the room is facing an in form Matri, but beneath that elephant, you’ll see another familiar face in Luca Antonini, who already has three goals for Genoa in a season and a half, after only ever scoring one goal for Milan in his five years at the club. However, Matri is their top scorer this season with six goals already after only scoring once for us in his six months at Milan. Either or both of them hurting us would be the ultimate in humiliation. My only solace is that Matri has scored all of his goals away, so let’s hope that run continues. Oh, and thanks, Galliani, for screwing us over again for your precious Preziosi.

I Grifone come into this match in fourth place just behind Napoli on goal differential, with six wins, five draws, and two losses. On Sunday, they beat newly promoted Cesena handily 3-0, but lost 2-0 yesterday to lowly Empoli in the Coppa Italia. Whether or not crashing out of the Coppa Italia fires them up, they will be tired from having played midweek. However home field advantage may even out that disadvantage. Genoa may be the oldest football club in Italy, but Milan are the most successful club in the world, having already bagged two trophies this season. (I cannot even type that with a straight face.)

Antonini and Matri celebrating... our worst nightmare

In their win against Cesena, Gasperini lined up Perin; Izzo, Burdisso, Roncaglia; Antonelli, Kucka, Rosim Bertolacci; Perotti, Falqué, and Matri. However Burdisso is suspended for this match, and he will also be without midfielder Mandragora due to injury. However, even if Perin gets arrested for drunk driving again between now and Sunday, we also know that he will still play, as they have already set that precedent.

Inzaghi has a few more headaches to worry about, as Essien is suspended after his red card last Sunday. He is still likely to miss Alex, Abate, Muntari, De Sciglio, and De Jong for this match due to injury. De Jong did return to training the other day and is probably the most likely to play of that group. It is also unclear whether or not Montolivo will start, as he only played a few minutes on Sunday on his debut after returning from his six month injury.

Will Inzaghi risk him for Sunday?

It will be a very tough match for Milan, but coming off of Sunday’s win, I am encouraged. Stringing two good performances back to back would be amazing, even better if we string together two wins. And of course a clean sheet would prevent our ex-Milan players from hurting us, so that would be the icing on the cake. But whether or not the atmosphere and the cursed Marassi create literal or even just psychological fires, I really hope that it is our boys’ desire that is on fire for this one and that we can bring another three points home.

This match is inspired by the music of the Kings of Leon

Genoa vs. Milan

Sunday, December 7 • 15:00 CET (9am EST)

This match will be broadcast on RAI and BeIN Sport in the US