Genoa and AC Milan renew Serie A rivalry
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Genoa host AC Milan on Monday night with just seven points separating them from the relegation zone. AC Milan are fifth in Serie A and just one point away from cracking the Champions League places.
Gennaro Gattuso’s team is coming off a loss in the Supercoppa Italiana to Juventus. The game was played in Saudi Arabia in midweek and now the Rossoneri must return to league action at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris.
Milan have lost just four times all season. Their most recent defeat came at the San Siro to Fiorentina on December 22nd. Since that lose, the Rossoneri have gone undefeated in two matches. Their most recent Serie A game was a win over SPAL, 2-1. After beating SPAL, the Rossoneri played two cup fixtures. Last weekend, Milan defeated Sampdoria 2-0 in the round of 16 in the Coppa Italia before their previously mentioned loss to Juventus.
Genoa have won just once in their last six games. The Grifone are on their third manager of the season as Cesare Prandelli took over the side in early December. Since manager Davide Ballardini, the man who started the season as coach, was sacked on October 9th, Genoa have won just once in 12 tries. Six of those games ended in losses.
Prior to Ballardini’s sacking, striker Krzysztof Piatek made headlines for his incredible goals scored production. Piatek scored 13 goals in all competitions under Ballardini. He then went five games without a score. Since late November, he has tallied six goals in all competitions. However, only four game in Serie A play. Despite scoring six goals in his last eight games in all competitions, Genoa have won just one of those fixtures. He is once again in a goal drought and hasn’t scored in the team’s last two games.
Despite Milan signing Gonzalo Higuain last summer, they may sell the ageing Argentine this month. He could be held out of the match against Genoa to prevent injury. Patrick Cutrone, who has just three goals in Serie A, could be selected ahead of the Argentine. Gattuso will most likely be without winger Suso. The Spaniard picked up a pubis injury last week in training. Milan are negotiating a deal to sign Mesut Ozil from Arsenal. However, that deal won’t be done by Monday.
Milan have won four of their last six games against Genoa in Serie A. Genoa’s last win came in 2016 at home. Milan won their previous meeting this season 2-1 at San Siro. Monday’s fixture will be similar to their previous game with Milan getting the win.
However, coming off of a loss in midweek in which the team flew to the Middle East, there will be few goals scored. Milan will just edge Genoa with one goal separating them.
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