Although they have yet to score in the Champions League, AC Milan, who are now ranked second in Serie A, return to domestic action on Saturday in Genoa.
At Stadio Luigi Ferraris, Milan must now face an improving home team after their second consecutive scoreless draw in Europe.
Match preview
With one exception, Stefano Pioli’s team is doing exceptionally well in the Italian top division even though Milan has only earned two points from their first two Champions League Group F games.
With their 5-1 derby defeat by Inter, the Rossoneri now have 18 points in Serie A, which ranks as their third-best total at this time in the twenty-first century and puts them with their city rivals atop the standings.
After seven games, Milan last had that record in the Scudetto-winning season of 2021–22, and before that, about 20 years ago. Last week, Milan defeated Lazio 2-0 at home thanks to goals from summer arrivals Christian Pulisic and Noah Okafor, who also scored at San Siro.
In fact, Genoa’s last home victory against the guests this week occurred in October 2016, and before being demoted a few years ago, the Ligurian squad had only won one of the previous nine Serie A games between the two teams.
The Grifone, currently led by former Milan striker Alberto Gilardino, have improved after being destroyed by Fiorentina on the first day of the season to earn eight points from their next six games. Last weekend’s late own goal barely prevented them from taking two more points.
Gilardino’s team appeared to be on track for victory against Udinese at the Dacia Arena when in-form forward Albert Gudmundsson scored twice during the first half, but Alan Matturro’s stoppage-time blunder cost the hosts a 2-2 draw.
However, Genoa has avoided relegation on each of the last nine occasions they have averaged more than one point per game after their first seven Serie A games, thus that continues to be the team’s primary objective this season.
The promoted team will aim for additional significant victories along the way, and Milan are among the biggest of all, having already defeated Lazio and Roma.
Team News
This weekend, Milan’s midfield options are still limited due to the continued absence of Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Rade Krunic (thigh), and Ismael Bennacer (knee), along with other long-term absentees.
Yunus Musah and Tommaso Pobega will try to beat out Yacine Adli after beginning in Germany in order to replace Tijjani Reijnders in the Rossoneri’s engine room.
Milan are the only team in Europe’s top five leagues to have two players with three goals and three assists to their name this season, and both should appear up front in a 4-3-3 formation, despite their struggles in the final third in Europe.Rafael Leao and Olivier Giroud both have three goals and three assists in the Serie A so far.
Meanwhile, Genoa will likely be without several of their starting midfielders as well because Kevin Strootman (muscular) and Milan Badelj (flexor) are still considered to be very questionable for Saturday night’s game at Marassi.
However, Brazilian winger Junior Messias is in position to face his native club after making a few cameo appearances since returning from injury and Stefano Sabelli (ankle) may be able to play a part.
The previous time Genoa had two forwards on that mark after seven top-flight games was in 1977. Up top, Sweden’s Albert Gudmundsson and Italy’s Mateo Retegui have both scored three times this season in Serie A. To start versus Milan, the latter must get over a knee injury.
Genoa possible starting lineup:
Martinez; Dragusin, Bani, Vasquez; De Winter, Thorsby, Frendrup, Malinovskyi, Matturro; Gudmundsson; Retegui
AC Milan possible starting lineup:
Maignan; Florenzi, Tomori, Thiaw, Hernandez; Musah, Adli, Reijnders; Pulisic, Giroud, Leao
We say: Genoa 1-3 AC Milan
Milan may have scored just twice in their previous seven Champions League games, but their front line has demonstrated that it is capable of scoring frequently in Serie A. The second-city team can depart Liguria with all three points on Saturday night if they continue their superb performance against Marassi.
