Rafael Leao and a late Junior Messias strike gave Milan a much-needed 2-0 victory over Genoa that keeps them at least temporarily top of the table.
The pressure was piling on the Rossoneri after back-to-back goalless draws, especially as Inter won earlier this evening. Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Alessio Romagnoli, Alessandro Florenzi, Simon Kjaer and Samu Castillejo were injured, joined by Davide Calabria in the warm-up with a stomach problem, replaced by Matteo Gabbia. Alexander Blessin drew his first seven games in charge, followed by a win and two consecutive defeats. Andrea Cambiaso, Nicolò Rovella and Zinho Vanheusden were still unavailable.
After 10 minutes, Milan broke their two-game goal drought. It was a wonderful Pierre Kalulu cross from the right to find Rafael Leao at the back post for a cushioned volley off the inside of the left boot.
Franck Kessie in his more advanced role set up Alexis Saelemaekers only for the Belgian to shin it horribly from 12 yards, while Pablo Galdames fired off target after springing the offside trap.
Saelemaekers slipped in a very promising position and wasted another chance, then his cross was volleyed over by Olivier Giroud.
Gabbia risked an own goal with a strange deflection, but Maignan was alert to recover. The defender went off with a hamstring problem 15 minutes from time, moving Rade Krunic to right-back.
Leao saw his angled drive beaten away at the near post, but Milan finally got their second goal at the end of a chaotic move.
Ante Rebic controlled with his chest and crossed for Junior Messias, whose first attempt was denied by a sensational one-handed Salvatore Sirigu goal, but the Brazilian fought to fire the rebound into the roof of the net. There was a silent VAR check for potential handball, but the goal was given.
It’s a third straight defeat for Genoa, though Mike Maignan did have to make a fine reaction save in stoppages on a header from a free kick.
Milan 2-0 Genoa
Leao 10 (M), Messias 87 (M)