Milan beat Genoa 2-1 to secure a Champions League spot.
Goals from Christopher Nkunku and Zachary Athekame gave AC Milan a crucial 2-1 victory over Genoa, giving them a significant advantage in the race for a top-four finish in Serie A.
With the race for Champions League qualification entering its most intense phase, AC Milan showed their mettle at the right moment to secure all three points at the Luigi Ferraris stadium. The 2-1 victory against Genoa not only relieved the psychological pressure on coach Massimiliano Allegri and his team but also solidified their third-place position in the Serie A standings for the 2025/26 season.
The deadlock and the turning point from the penalty spot.
Traveling to Genoa's stadium without star winger Rafael Leao, AC Milan faced immense difficulties in breaking through the home team's defense. Genoa deployed an extremely disciplined "low-block" formation, causing the visitors' attacks to frequently become ineffective throughout the first half.
Despite having less possession, Genoa were the team with sharp counter-attacking opportunities. Strikers like Vitinha and Colombo constantly tested the Milan defense, but a lack of decisiveness in finishing prevented the home team from converting chances into goals. The most regrettable moment belonged to Vitinha, whose skillful individual move narrowly missed the target.
In the second half, the match's dynamics changed dramatically due to a single individual error. In the 50th minute, Genoa defender Amorim made a careless back pass, allowing Christopher Nkunku to break through. Goalkeeper Bijlow was forced to foul the French striker inside the penalty area. From the penalty spot, Nkunku made no mistake to open the scoring for Milan, breaking the deadlock.
Allegri's tactical imprint
After the opening goal, the match was somewhat interrupted by unruly fans setting off flares in the stands. Taking advantage of this break, coach Allegri made a crucial substitution, bringing Christian Pulisic onto the field. The American player's presence made Milan's attacks more diverse and unpredictable.
The effect came almost immediately in the 81st minute. Pulisic provided a sublime assist, setting Zachary Athekame up in a favorable position inside the penalty area. The young player then decisively finished with a diagonal shot, making it 2-0. The goal seemed to have extinguished Genoa's hopes, but the home team fought until the very last minute.
In the 86th minute, taking advantage of a scramble in front of Mike Maignan's goal, captain Johan Vasquez tapped the ball in from close range to reduce the deficit to 1-2. This goal made the 10 minutes of added time incredibly tense. Genoa threw everything forward, creating suffocating pressure on the opposing half. However, Maignan's concentration and the experience of the Milan defense helped them preserve their lead.
Post-match statistics
| Parameter | net | AC Milan |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 1 | 2 |
| Goal scorer | Johan Vásquez (86') | Nkunku (50'), Athekame (81') |
| Score statistics | Dropped to the middle of the table. | 70 points (3rd place) |
With 70 points after this victory, Milan are now 2 points ahead of fifth-placed Coma. Although coach Allegri's playing style is still debated in terms of aesthetics, Milan's resilience in crucial matches is undeniable. The Rossoneri currently hold their fate in their own hands in the race for a place in Europe's most prestigious competition before the final round of matches.
