Late drama at San Siro as Leão equalizes in stoppage time before Stanciu wastes a golden chance from the spot on Matchday 19.
On the night of Massimiliano Allegri’s 200th match on the Milan bench, Milan were held to a 1-1 draw by Genoa at San Siro, rescued late by Rafael Leão and spared defeat when Nicolae Stanciu blasted a penalty over the bar in the 99th minute.
The Rossoneri remain three points behind league leaders Inter and extend their unbeaten run to 17 matches, but once again drop points against a side from the lower half of the table. Genoa, meanwhile, leave Milan with regret after coming within inches of a famous away win.
Milan started with intent and created the first real chance of the match in the 7th minute, when Gabbia rose highest from a Bartesaghi cross and forced Leali to tip his header onto the crossbar. After surviving the early scare, Genoa grew in confidence and began to move the ball with personality and precision.
The visitors struck in the 29th minute, capitalizing on a collective lapse in Milan’s defense. Norton-Cuffy found Malinovskyi, who disguised his intentions before whipping in a cross for Lorenzo Colombo. The former Milan striker slipped away from Gabbia and finished while falling, opting not to celebrate against his old club.
Milan had an immediate chance to respond. In the 36th minute, Leali denied Leão from point-blank range, and moments later Fofana slipped at the decisive moment on the rebound, squandering a clear opportunity. The French midfielder paid the price at halftime, replaced by Loftus-Cheek.
The Rossoneri thought they had equalized in the 58th minute, but VAR ruled out Pulisic’s tap-in after Gabbia’s header was judged to have been controlled with an arm. Milan continued to push, with Bartesaghi missing the target from a promising position and Allegri throwing on new signing Füllkrug to add weight in attack.
The final half hour became a siege. Leali stood firm, producing a sensational save in the 87th minute to deny Pulisic’s first-time volley. Just when it seemed Genoa would hold on, Milan struck in stoppage time. In the 92nd minute, Modrić’s corner was flicked on by Frendrup, allowing Leão to react quickest in the center of the box and turn the ball home for 1-1.
The drama was not over. At the 95th minute, referee Mariani awarded Genoa a penalty for a foul by Bartesaghi on Ellertsson. Stanciu stepped up in the 99th minute with the chance to win it—but sent his effort high over the crossbar, letting Milan off the hook.
At full time, it was Genoa who felt the greater disappointment, while Milan salvaged a point but missed another opportunity to apply pressure at the top.
Match Report
Milan–Genoa 1-1
Goals:
29’ Colombo (G)
90+2’ Leão (M)
Milan (3-5-2):
Maignan; Tomori, Gabbia (76’ Athekame), Pavlović; Saelemaekers (65’ Füllkrug), Fofana (46’ Loftus-Cheek), Modrić, Rabiot, Bartesaghi; Pulisic, Leão.
Coach: Allegri.
Genoa (3-5-2):
Leali; Marcandalli, Østigård, Vásquez; Norton-Cuffy, Frendrup, Malinovskyi (64’ Ellertsson), Thorsby (63’ Masini), Martin (83’ Stanciu); Vitinha (75’ Ekhator), Colombo (83’ Otoa).
Coach: De Rossi.
Referee: Mariani
Yellow cards: Gabbia (M), Maignan (M), Leali (G)
Red cards: None
Missed penalty: Stanciu (G), 90+9’
