Serie A | Milan 1-1 Genoa: A wild conclusion benefits Inter more than anyone
MILAN, ITALY – JANUARY 08: Rafael Leao of AC Milan reaches for a shot during the Serie A match between AC Milan and Genoa CFC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on January 08, 2026, in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images) Milan salvaged a point at home against Genoa in Serie A with a goal in the 92nd minute and narrowly avoided defeat when Nikolae Stanciu blasted a penalty over the bar. Lorenzo Colombo and Rafael Leao provided the goals for their respective sides. Leao and Christian Pulisic started together for only the second occasion this season, marking their first appearance side by side since the 1-0 win over Inter in November. The rest of the Rossoneri lineup remained familiar, with Youssouf Fofana, Luka Modric, and Adrien Rabiot in the midfield. Christopher Nkunku and Santiago Gimenez were absent due to injury. Daniele De Rossi made a single alteration after his team’s 1-1 draw with Pisa, bringing in Alessandro Marcandalli for Sebastian Otoa at center-back. You can follow the developments on the Football Italia Liveblog. JANUARY 08: The players of AC Milan gather for a team photo before the Serie A match between AC Milan and Genoa CFC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on January 08, 2026, in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images) Matteo Gabbia had the closest chance of the first half with a solid header from a corner that initially seemed to hit the crossbar. Upon reviewing footage, it appeared that Nicola Leali may have gotten a hand on it. The first half started relatively quietly, but the visitors seized the lead with their first shot on target thirty minutes in. Ruslan Malinovskyi delivered an exceptional cross to Colombo, positioned ten yards from the center of the penalty area. The 23-year-old finished expertly, exploiting the opportunity against his parent club. JANUARY 08: Lorenzo Colombo of Genoa nets his team’s opening goal past AC Milan’s Mike Maignan during the Serie A match between AC Milan and Genoa CFC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on January 08, 2026, in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images) Milan’s finest opportunity in the first half fell to Fofana, who squandered it in a rather amusing manner. Leali executed a fantastic reflex save to deny Leao within the box. It appeared the unmarked Frenchman was set to score from the rebound, but he lost his footing and slipped before making contact with the ball on the edge of the six-yard area. Once again, Milan took time to warm up after the kickoff. The Rossoneri began to apply pressure midway through the opening half, winning a succession of four corners over the span of four minutes. Pulisic managed to find the net from the final corner. Gabbia provided a brilliant flick-on towards Davide Bartesaghi’s corner. There was contention whether the defender’s header was heading in, but Pulisic ensured it crossed the line at the back post. However, replays revealed that he handled the ball before it crossed, leading to the goal being disallowed. Referee Maurizio Mariani talks to Christian Pulisic of AC Milan during the Serie A match between AC Milan and Genoa CFC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on January 08, 2026, in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images) Bartesaghi came close to leveling for Milan following a wonderful low cross from Ruben Loftus-Cheek. Pulisic was just shy of connecting on the first attempt, and Bartesaghi shot wide on the follow-up. Milan posed their biggest threats in the second half through set pieces, but as the match approached the end, it seemed they were unlikely to find an equalizer. Pulisic had one last opportunity before the final whistle, thanks to a cross from Strahinja Pavlovic, yet his volley produced the best save of the match from Leali. The Rossoneri finally took advantage of their set-piece opportunities in the second minute of stoppage time. Modric’s corner was flicked on at the back post, where Leao managed to guide a header through a crowded penalty area to equalize for Milan. The drama continued, however, as Zachary Athekame sought a penalty for Milan in the next attack, but the referee let play resume. Subsequently, at the other end, Bartesaghi made a reckless challenge on Mikael Ellertsson, conceding a clear penalty in the dying seconds. The decision was relatively straightforward, yet there were several minutes of disputes and VAR reviews. Mike Maignan received a yellow card for his protests. Ultimately, Nikolae Stanciu took the penalty and sent a wild shot over the bar, maintaining the score at 1-1—a result that favors Inter. The Nerazzurri now hold a three-point lead over Milan at the top of the Serie A table. Genoa also moved three points clear of the relegation zone. JANUARY 08: Nicolae Stanciu of Genoa misses from the penalty spot during the Serie A match between AC Milan and Genoa CFC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on January 08, 2026, in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images) Milan 1-1 Genoa Colombo (G) 28’, Leao (M) 90+2.
Published: 2026-01-08 21:54:00
source: football-italia.net
