AC Milan vs Genoa Preview, Rossoneri’s Chance to Prevent Negative Trends

Milan, Beritasatu.com – The Italian Serie A League follow-up match AC Milan vs Genoa was held on Monday (16/12/2024) at the San Siro Stadium, Milan, at 02.45 WIB. This meeting is the Rossoneri’s chance to prevent a negative trend.

The reason is, Genoa is currently stagnant. They are still stuck in 14th place in the Italian Serie A standings this season with a collection of three wins, six draws and six defeats in the 15 matches played.

Meanwhile, AC Milan is in seventh place in the standings. The AC Milan vs Genoa match could be a moment of revival for Paulo Fonseca’s team.

Previously, the Rossoneri were beaten by Atalanta with a score of 1-2 on Saturday (7/12/2024). This result tarnished AC Milan’s big win over Empoli by three goals without reply on Sunday (1/12/2024).

The match against Genoa was also a moment for AC Milan to close in on Juventus, who sits in sixth position. AC Milan is currently gaining 22 points, while Juventus has six points more.

AC Milan’s victory over Genoa could also bring the Rossoneri to erode the points gap from Juventus. Juventus, in their last match against Venezia, Sunday (15/12/2024) early morning WIB, shared the points. Both teams are equally strong, 2-2.

However, Alvaro Morata and his colleagues should be wary. Because, Genoa was able to remain unbeaten in the last five matches in the 2024-2025 Italian Serie A League.

Apart from that, Patrick Vieira’s touch as Genoa’s new coach replacing Alberto Gilardino is also quite impressive. Vieira was able to make Genoa unbeaten in the last three matches. They drew 2-2 against Cagliari, won 2-0 at home to Udinese, and also drew points at home to Torino.

Interestingly, Vieira will return to his old club, this time as an opponent, no longer as an AC Milan player. In the 1990s, this French man was a member of the Rossoneri.

However, he was unable to make a big impact at Milan before moving to Arsenal. In England, his playing career really took off. He then returned to the San Siro in 2006, but as a big enemy, because he was defending Inter Milan. He also tasted the Serie A title with Inter.

In the AC Milan vs Genoa match later, Paulo Fonseca will be without Ruben Loftus-Cheek due to a thigh injury, while key player Christian Pulisic is still absent due to a calf problem.

Alvaro Morata also suffered an injury against Red Star, so Tammy Abraham is set to replace him up front. Ismael Bennacer, Luka Jovic and Alessandro Florenzi were all unavailable.

Bouncing back since last month’s superb display at the Bernabeu, mercurial winger Rafael Leao has been involved in three goals in his last four league appearances.

Meanwhile, Genoa boss Patrick Vieira will bring his old friend back to Milan this weekend. His old friend’s name is Mario Balotelli.

Most likely to start as a substitute, with top scorer Andrea Pinamonti leading the line, Balotelli could play a Serie A match at San Siro for the first time in more than eight years.

Elsewhere, Vieira could call on Johan Vasquez after the Mexican defender served his suspension in the recent 0-0 draw with Torino. Koni De Winter, Jeff Ekhator, Caleb Ekuban and Ruslan Malinovskyi are all out due to injury. Striker Junior Messias will also miss the AC Milan vs Genoa match.

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AC Milan vs Genoa player forecast:
AC Milan: Maignan; Emerson Royal, Gabbia, Thiaw, Hernandez; Fofana, Reijnders; Chukwueze, Musah, Leao; Morata.
Coach: Paulo Fonseca.

Genoa: Leali; Sabelli, Bani, Vasquez, Martin; Thorsby, Badelj, Frendrup; Zanoli, Pinamonti, Miretti.
Coach: Patrick Vieira.