Preview: AC Milan vs Genoa – Prediction, Team News, Lineups
AC Milan will look to maintain their impressive Serie A unbeaten run when they host Genoa at San Siro on Thursday. As one of the frontrunners challenging for the Scudetto, Milan faces a crucial fixture against a struggling Genoa side aiming to escape the relegation zone.
Since the early season loss to Cremonese, AC Milan has gone 16 league matches unbeaten. Their record includes 11 victories and a resilient defensive display, making them one of the toughest teams to beat in Serie A this season. Head coach Massimiliano Allegri’s squad has kept clean sheets in their last three home games, reinforcing their stronghold at San Siro.
Current Form and Standings Context
Milan’s form puts them in a tight race with Napoli and Inter Milan for the league top spot. Although Inter recently reclaimed first place, Milan briefly led the table following back-to-back wins against Hellas Verona and Cagliari. Rafael Leao’s decisive goal against Cagliari underscored Milan’s attacking threat, demonstrating their ability to grind out results in low-scoring matches.
In contrast, Genoa arrives having drawn just one of their last four league games, gaining a solitary point since mid-December. Under Daniele De Rossi, the team showed promise but remains mired in a relegation battle after failing to secure victory against Pisa in their last outing. Genoa’s difficulties are compounded by their poor record at San Siro, where they have lost 14 of their last 18 visits against Milanese clubs.
Head-to-Head and Historical Insights
Historically, Genoa has struggled against AC Milan, with only one win in the past 15 league meetings. Their defensive vulnerabilities are stark when facing the Rossoneri’s offensive prowess. Even though Genoa managed two recent away draws at Milan, the overwhelming odds favor the hosts due to current form and squad quality.
Team News and Expected Lineups
AC Milan tends to rely on a consistent core, featuring key players such as captain Mike Maignan and midfielder Luka Modric. Allegri has used fewer substitutions than any coach in Europe’s top five leagues this season, a testament to his trust in a settled lineup.
For this match, Matteo Gabbia and Christian Pulisic are expected to return to the starting XI after recent injuries. Pulisic has been impactful this season, scoring at a rate better than some of Milan’s leading forwards. Leao will likely partner with him in attack, as other forwards like Niclas Fullkrug, Santiago Gimenez, and Christopher Nkunku are unavailable due to fitness issues.
Genoa’s lineup could see Alessandro Marcandalli return to defense after Sebastian Otoa’s injury absence. The attacking unit will probably feature loan player Lorenzo Colombo, who notably scored against Milan while playing for Monza earlier this season.
The projected lineups are:
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AC Milan (4-3-3): Maignan; Tomori, Gabbia, Pavlovic, Saelemaekers; Fofana, Modric, Rabiot; Bartesaghi, Pulisic, Leao
- Genoa (4-3-3): Leali; Marcandalli, Ostigard, Vazquez, Norton-Cuffy; Malinovskyi, Frendrup, Thorsby; Martin, Vitinha, Colombo
Match Prediction
Given Milan’s home advantage and defensive solidity, they are clear favorites to secure victory. Genoa’s inconsistent attack and defensive frailties reduce their chances of scoring against a Rossoneri side that has kept several clean sheets recently.
A 2-0 scoreline in favor of AC Milan is the most plausible outcome, reflecting their capacity to control the game and capitalize on Genoa’s weaknesses. This match presents an important opportunity for Milan to strengthen their title charge, while Genoa will need to work hard to prevent slipping deeper into the relegation zone.
Fans and analysts expect a competitive but controlled display from Milan, keeping their unbeaten record intact as the Serie A season intensifies.
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