Genoa vs. AC Milan | Serie A | Pre Match
Genoa vs. AC Milan
As the 2024-25 Serie A season nears its conclusion, AC Milan travel to the Stadio Luigi Ferraris to face mid-table Genoa on Monday evening, a match that serves as a crucial stepping stone for the Rossoneri ahead of their high-stakes Coppa Italia final later this month. Sitting ninth in the standings, Milan have all but abandoned hopes of a top-six finish, their European aspirations through league position fading as they focus on silverware in the cup competition, where they will face Bologna in Rome. Sergio Conceição’s side, buoyed by a recent surge in form, are riding a wave of momentum, having secured three consecutive away wins without conceding, including a 2-0 triumph over Venezia last Sunday, powered by Christian Pulisic’s early strike and Santiago Giménez’s stoppage-time sealer. Genoa, under the stewardship of Patrick Vieira, are coasting toward the end of a campaign that has seen them secure safety from relegation but struggle for consistency, their recent 1-0 defeat to Como marking a third game without a goal. With Milan aiming to extend their impressive away record and Genoa desperate to rediscover their attacking spark, this clash pits the Rossoneri’s newfound resilience against the Grifone’s fading ambitions. Historical precedent favors Milan, who have won five of their last six trips to Genoa, but the hosts’ recent draws against their illustrious visitors suggest a potential for an upset. As both teams navigate injury concerns and tactical adjustments, the Stadio Ferraris braces for a contest that blends Milan’s cup-driven focus with Genoa’s quest for a late-season flourish.
AC Milan’s season has been a tale of peaks and valleys, with their current ninth-place standing a far cry from the lofty expectations that accompanied their Scudetto triumph three years ago. However, under Conceição’s pragmatic leadership, the Rossoneri have found a second wind, particularly on the road, where their three consecutive clean-sheet victories—against Sassuolo, Lazio, and Venezia—have restored confidence. The 2-0 win over Venezia, following a morale-boosting derby triumph over Inter Milan that secured their Coppa Italia final berth, showcased Milan’s ability to blend attacking flair with defensive solidity. Pulisic, with double figures in Serie A goals, has been a revelation, his fifth-minute strike against Venezia and a previous goal at the Ferraris in October 2023 highlighting his importance to Conceição’s 3-4-3 formation. The return of Emerson Royal and Kyle Walker from injury bolsters Milan’s squad depth, though doubts linger over Luka Jović’s back issue, potentially paving the way for Tammy Abraham or Giménez to lead the line alongside Pulisic and Rafael Leão. Milan’s historical dominance over Genoa—winning five of six recent trips and losing just once in their last 14 league meetings—offers a psychological edge, but the 3-3 and 0-0 draws in their last two encounters indicate Genoa’s capacity to frustrate. With a daunting double-header against Bologna looming, including a league clash and the cup final, Milan’s focus is on maintaining momentum and avoiding complacency against a Genoa side with little to lose. Conceição’s challenge is to sustain Milan’s defensive resilience, which has seen them concede just twice in their last five games, while ensuring Leão and Pulisic exploit Genoa’s porous backline, which has failed to keep a clean sheet in four matches. The Stadio Ferraris, a venue where Milan have thrived, presents an opportunity to notch a fourth straight away win, a feat they haven’t achieved in over a year, setting the stage for their cup final preparations.
Genoa, by contrast, are a team in limbo, their mid-table position reflecting a season of stabilization but also missed opportunities. Under Patrick Vieira, whose arrival steadied a ship that started the campaign sluggishly, the Grifone have secured safety from relegation, sitting comfortably in 12th with 38 points. However, their recent form has been dismal, with back-to-back losses to Torino and Como and a three-game goalless streak exposing a chronic lack of attacking potency. April was particularly barren, with Genoa managing just 29 shots—the second-fewest in Serie A—and scoring only once, a stark contrast to their earlier top-half flirtations. Vieira, whose early playing career included a stint at Milan, has struggled to ignite his attack, with leading striker Andrea Pinamonti enduring a nine-game goal drought, his longest in a single season since 2019-20. The absence of key players like Maxwel Cornet, Caleb Ekuban, Hugo Cuenca, Jean Onana, Ruslan Malinovskyi, and Fabio Miretti, whose season has been ended by a shoulder injury, further hampers Genoa’s prospects. The return of Sebastian Otoa from suspension offers defensive reinforcement, while Junior Messias, a former Milan player, could support Pinamonti in attack. Vieira’s likely 4-4-2, emphasizing defensive solidity and counter-attacks, aims to frustrate Milan’s attacking trio, but their lack of firepower—evident in their 1-0 loss to Como—suggests a team struggling for inspiration. Genoa’s ability to draw their last two games against Milan, including a thrilling 3-3 at the Ferraris, provides a glimmer of hope, but their recent inability to score and a demanding home crowd expecting a response add pressure. As Genoa face a Milan side in fine fettle, Vieira must rally his depleted squad to rediscover their spark, or risk limping to the season’s end with little to show for their efforts.
The tactical dynamics promise a contrast between Milan’s attacking ambition and Genoa’s defensive resilience. Conceição’s 3-4-3, with Pulisic and Leão flanking Abraham or Giménez, relies on wing-backs Fodé Ballo-Touré and Royal to stretch Genoa’s backline, while midfielders Ismaël Bennacer and Tijjani Reijnders provide creativity. Milan’s high press and quick transitions will target Genoa’s slow center-backs, Morten Thorsby and Johan Vásquez, while their back three, led by Fikayo Tomori, must contain Pinamonti’s physicality. Genoa’s 4-4-2, with Messias and Vitinha on the flanks, will look to exploit counter-attacks, with Pinamonti and Ekuban—if fit—testing Milan’s aerial defending. The midfield battle—Bennacer versus Aarón Martín, Reijnders versus Morten Frendrup—will dictate the tempo, while the flanks—Leão versus Messias, Pulisic versus Alessandro Zanoli—promise high-intensity duels. Set pieces, where Milan’s Tomori and Genoa’s Vásquez excel, could be pivotal, with Genoa’s recent struggles to convert chances a concern. The Ferraris’s passionate atmosphere, though a potential catalyst for Genoa, may amplify their pressure, while Milan’s away form and depth give them an edge. The match’s outcome may hinge on Milan’s ability to capitalize on Genoa’s defensive lapses or Genoa’s capacity to frustrate and strike on the break.
As Serie A’s curtain draws near, this clash encapsulates Milan’s cup-driven focus and Genoa’s fading ambitions. For the Rossoneri, a victory would cement their away dominance and build momentum for their Bologna double-header, with the Coppa Italia final a chance to salvage their season. The San Siro faithful, though absent, will expect a performance that honors their recent resurgence. For Genoa, a result would restore pride and end their scoring drought, offering a positive note to a campaign that has petered out. Vieira’s men, backed by their home support, will draw inspiration from past draws against Milan, hoping to defy their historical struggles. The outcome could set the tone for Milan’s cup final and Genoa’s season finale, with the Ferraris bearing witness to a contest of contrasting goals. As the narrative of redemption, resilience, and rivalry unfolds, both teams know that in Serie A’s crucible, every moment is a chance to shine or falter.
