AC Milan bounce back with a crucial victory at Marassi as Christopher Nkunku and Athekame deliver a massive result in the Champions League race on Matchday 37.
Genoa CFC pushed hard late on, but AC Milan secured a vital 2-1 victory at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris to climb into third place in Serie A with just one round remaining.
After a flat and uninspiring first half from the Rossoneri, the match turned early in the second period thanks to a costly mistake from Genoa midfielder Amorim. His careless back pass allowed Christopher Nkunku to anticipate goalkeeper Justin Bijlow, who then brought the French forward down inside the box. Referee Simone Sozza pointed immediately to the penalty spot, and Nkunku calmly converted to hand Milan the lead in the 51st minute.
Massimiliano Allegri’s side looked far more composed after going ahead and nearly doubled the advantage through substitute Christian Pulisic, who changed the tempo of Milan’s attack after entering the match. The decisive second goal finally arrived in the 81st minute when Pulisic found Athekame outside the area, and the wing-back drilled a superb left-footed strike into the corner for 2-0.
Genoa refused to quit and gave the home crowd hope six minutes later. Defender Johan Vasquez reacted quickest during a scramble from a corner kick and poked home from close range to cut the deficit.
The final minutes were tense, especially after a lengthy stoppage caused by smoke bombs thrown onto the pitch following Milan’s opening goal. Genoa pushed forward during ten minutes of added time, but Milan held firm to secure three enormous points in the race for Champions League qualification.
Nkunku proved decisive both in winning and converting the penalty, while Athekame delivered one of his best performances in a Milan shirt. On the other hand, it was another frustrating evening for Santiago Gimenez and Ardon Jashari, both of whom struggled badly throughout the match.
Match Report
Genoa 1-2 Milan
Scorers:
51’ Nkunku (pen), 81’ Athekame, 87’ Vasquez
Genoa (4-3-3)
Bijlow; Ellertsson, Marcandalli, Otoa, Vasquez; Frendrup, Amorim (90’ Martin), Malinovskyi; Baldanzi (66’ Ekhator), Colombo, Vitinha.
Head Coach: Daniele De Rossi.
Milan (3-5-2)
Maignan; Tomori (76’ De Winter), Gabbia, Pavlovic; Athekame, Fofana (68’ Ricci), Jashari (86’ Loftus-Cheek), Rabiot, Bartesaghi; Gimenez (68’ Fullkrug), Nkunku (76’ Pulisic).
Head Coach: Massimiliano Allegri.
Referee: Simone Sozza
Yellow Cards: Bijlow, Gabbia, Vitinha, Tomori, Ricci
Red Cards: None
