AC Milan fought a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Genoa on Sunday afternoon, which kept their narrow hopes of winning the Serie A title alive.
Rossoneri started on the front foot and got their breakthrough in 13 minutes, when Ante Rebic hammered home a brilliant strike from the edge of the box to give Mattia Perin no chance in the Genoa goal.
Ante Rebic with an absolutely brilliant finish to put Milan 1-0! ?
Such a pure strike? pic.twitter.com/W6dM3sqlmz
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The visitors’ Mattia Destro took advantage of a misunderstanding between the home side’s goalie and center backs 36 minutes into the match. Milan pressed to get back in front, with Simon Kjaer nodding wide from a corner.
It was from a corner that Milan took back the lead when Hakan Calhanoglu’s swinger beat Gianluca Scamacca and dribbled into his own net.
Simon Kjaer and Tomori had to be the best to block two efforts on the line, but Stefano Pioli’s men saw the last minutes to clear all three points and cement their place in Serie A’s top four.
Okay, let’s check out the players’ ratings.
Relive the battle | Soccrates Images / Getty Images
Gianluigi Donnarumma (GK) – 6/10 – Rejected Gianluca Scamacca’s bad shot in the front post. Should save it, but did so well. No chance to stop Destro’s powerful nod. Almost cost Milan the game with a late release – saved by the defense.
Pierre Kalulu (RB) – 6/10 – Accidentally helped the opening goal. Not in his strongest position but also not afraid to get up and down the flank. Solid defensively but his lack of attacking instinct prevented the team.
Simon Kjaer (CB) – 8/10 – Took a huge kick to the goolies, but lived to tell the story. Defensively defended against small threat. Headed inches wide from a corner. Brilliant blocks on the line to save the win.
Fikayo Tomori (CB) – 7/10 – Defended on the front foot and squeezed out the life of Gianluca Scamacca. The battles all end up, however, by Destro for the equalizer. Need to be stronger in these situations. Second luminous block on the line to keep them level.
Theo Hernandez (LB) – 6/10 – Hit the free kick into the wall that resulted in the opening goal. The whole part of the plan. Dragged a couple more shots at. Not the best.
The man in the middle | Soccrates Images / Getty Images
Franck Kessie (CM) – 8/10 – Continued his form as one of the best midfielders in Serie A. Good on everything, and did not give Genoa a sniff. Nice on the ball, intelligent of it and a driving force. Class.
Ismael Bennacer (CM) – 7/10 – Brought so much stability to the midfield. Allow Kessie the platform to play his game, keeping it simple in the middle. No surprise that Milan panicked when he left the pitch.
Hakan Calhanoglu (AM) – 6/10 – Should have gotten an assist, but Leao wasted his thumb-perfect through ball. Dispossised far too often and far too easily.
On the points side | Marco Luzzani / Getty Images
Alexis Saelemaekers (RW) – 7/10 – Nice on the ball, links well to Calhanoglu and makes the right decision, more often than not. Curled wide from the edge of the box. Close. Subbed in the second half.
Rafael Leao (ST) – 6/10 – Drove in on the left flank and ran the canal well. Should have done better when it was played through during the first half, but shot straight at Perin. Struggled to influence when Genoa sank deep.
Ante Rebic (LW) – 7/10 – Opened the score with a thunderous left-foot strike from a distance. How did he generate so much power over it? Another match-winning achievement.
⏱ 62 ‘? Other: @ RafaeLeao7 by, @ MarioMandzukic9 on # MilanGenoa 1-1 #SempreMilan Powered by @therabody pic.twitter.com/59F6scSkG8
– AC Milan (@acmilan) April 18, 2021
Diogo Dalot (RB) – 7/10
Brahim Diaz (AM) – 6/10
Mario Mandzukic (ST) – 6/10
Sandro Tonali (CM) – 6/10
Rade Krunic (CM) – Not applicable
