This match started out well enough. Milan had an early goal, and seemed fairly confident. But after an ex-Milan player scored an equalizer, Genoa gained more confidence, and it seemed like nothing Pioli did could change the outcome of the game. Fortunately, a player linked with Milan as a potential transfer target this summer took matters into his own... back of the head, scoring an own goal and gifting Milan all three points. Milan managed to win against all odds... playing at home, playing at lunch, and facing Genoa. Milan won in spite of ourselves.
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| We'll take it |
Rebic's goal was stunning. Theo Hernandez sent a free kick in, that was sent back out, and Rebic took it on the volley with a powerful kick all the way across goal into the lower far corner of the net. 1-0 Milan. There was only one yellow card handed out by Calvarese the entire match, which went to Goldaniga in the first half. Leao was doing some good things, getting into position, but he slipped as he took his shot in the 19th, and Perin saved it.
The disappointment was in the 37th, from a Genoa corner, Destro headed it past Gigio Donnarumma. 1-1 all. Tomori probably watched old matches of Milan, when defenders would lose their marker and Milan conceded on set pieces. I guess he didn't realize that's no longer the game plan. Of course it had to be Destro, too. He only scored three goals for Milan in his whole time at the club, now he has scored three goals against Milan this season alone.
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| Magical |
Both sides took chances, and both sides had four shots on target. Only Genoa were more clinical, taking a total of 12 shots in all, whereas Milan took 17. Calhanoglu took like half of those, it seemed, but it wasn't his night. It wasn't Scamacca's night, either. After Pioli had brought on Mandzukic, Brahim, and Dalot, Calhanoglu sent a corner into the box. Both Mandzukic and Tomori were there to try to send it in, but Scamacca turned his back, and the ball hit the back of his head and went in past Perin. 2-1 Milan.
Rebic tried an Ibrahimovic-inspired martial arts style kick that was saved by Perin. Then Gigio Donnarumma committed to saving the ball, coming off his line, and failing to clear it well enough. It seemed Milan were doomed, but an amazing pair of goal line clearance by first Kjaer, then Tomori, kept Milan in the lead. That was basically it, Milan took the Scamacca gift and held on to take all three points.
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| Our defense has got Gigio's back |
Milan did all they could, and Scamacca helped them when that wasn't enough. (Thank you, someone will contact you soon about your Milan contract for next season, Scamacca.) It wasn't an inspiring performance, but it wasn't our worst, either. Best of all, we won a lunchtime game. Against Genoa. At the San Siro. That was Pioli's first win over Genoa since coming to Milan, and our first win at home in two months. So I guess the takeaway is that Milan won... in spite of ourselves.
This post inspired by the music of The Bravery's "An Honest Mistake"
Our next match is
Serie A Week 32
Milan vs. Sasuolo
Wednesday, April 21 • 18:30 CEST (12:30pm EDT)