Milan-Genoa Preview: The Sound of Silence

This match has been postponed to Wednesday May 13 due to the outbreak of COVID-19

Milan typically struggle with the lunchtime games already, now they will be playing this match behind closed doors. While obviously, this is the right thing to do for the health and safety of everyone, it also removes home advantage. Despite Genoa being in the relegation zone, with their recent run of form, Milan may not have much of an advantage at all. Which means that even watching from TV screens everywhere, Milan fans may echo the sound of the stadium, the sound of silence.

If he plays, he'll likely score against his former team. That's Zapata

Genoa are on their third coach of the season. After sacking Andreazzoli in October, his replacement, Thiago Motta, was sacked just ahead of the new year. Davide Nicola has definitely improved their results, most recently coaching them to two draws and two wins before losing 3-2 to second place Lazio last weekend. For that match, he lined up Perin; Biraschi, Soumaoro, Masiello; Ankersen, Behrami, Schöne, Cassata, Criscito; Favilli, and Sanabria. Nicola will be without Radovanovic, who is out for the season, as well as Ghiglione and Lerager, while Pajac is doubtful for this match. Watch out for former Milan defender Zapata, although he has only played once under Nicola, and short-term former Milan forward Destro, who has five goals for Genoa this season.

Pioli still has an injured list comprised of Duarte, Biglia, Krunic, and Kjaer, with Gigio Donnarumma being doubtful as of this writing. Begovic subbed on for Gigio last week and did well, so I don’t worry as much about that spot. At center back, it seems Pioli favors the young Gabbia, who just extended his contract this week until 2024. This is ahead of veteran Musacchio, who still may not be 100 percent after coming off of injury.

Will our superstar forwards be able to produce in an empty stadium?

After last week’s disappointing draw and more disappointing performance against Fiorentina last weekend, it is easy to be apprehensive about how the team will play against Genoa. Without the fans, Milan lose some of their power. Genoa also have something to play for: salvation. I never trust a team that has nothing to lose against a Milan team that is once again battling for consistency in management. When you add the early match time and playing behind closed doors, then the chances of Milan fans celebrating at the final whistle becomes increasingly less likely than hearing the sound of silence.

This post inspired by the music of Simon & Garfunkel’s “The Sound of Silence”

Serie A Week 26

Milan vs. Genoa

Sunday, March 1 • 12:30 CET (6:30am EST)

This match will be shown LIVE on ESPN2 in the U.S.
POSTPONED until May 13