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.
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| 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.
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| 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
POSTPONED until May 13