Andriy Shevchenko admits the high Milan press caused problems for Genoa, but insists they did ‘create chances’ in this 3-0 defeat, forcing two remarkable Mike Maignan saves.
This could never be a normal fixture for the Ukrainian, who spent eight years playing for the Rossoneri and was greeted warmly by the visiting ultras at Marassi this evening.
However, his coaching career at club level has started badly, picking up one point from three games with zero goals scored.
They were swept aside tonight by a Zlatan Ibrahimovic free kick and pair of Junior Messias goals.
“We have many players out injured, that has certainly caused us a lot of problems. We’ll see after this game, because Nicolò Rovella had an issue and we hope it’s not serious, but we had to replace him and he’ll have the tests tomorrow,” Shevchenko told Sky Sport Italia.
“The team created chances, put in the performance, but it’s always difficult against a great team, especially when champions change the game with their moments of individual brilliance.”
Genoa seemed to be rather cut off from the forwards and the fact remains they have not scored under his tenure, but Mike Maignan had to make two sensational saves on Hernani and Daniele Portanova.
“Naturally, Milan pressed very high and we studied ways of causing them problems, we did create chances, but at this moment Milan have a lot of quality in their squad.
“When you concede a goal in the opening 10 minutes, that knocks the wind out of your sails. We allowed another goal before half-time and that changes the game, you have to try to build a bit more and the team did have chances, their goalkeeper did really well with two saves.
“Milan have a lot of pace down the flanks and with Ibra’s physicality he can hold up the ball too, so they have different ways of causing us problems.”