Genoa 1-0 AC Milan: Captain Antonelli secures Grifone victory

Date: 7th December 2014 at 4:54pm
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Genoa defeated AC Milan 1-0 at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris on Sunday afternoon in Serie A.

The Rossoblu continued their impressive league campaign by defeating the Rossoneri with a first-half goal from Luca Antonelli as the visitors struggled to build on victory last weekend.

During a scrappy and fiercely contested opening 30 minutes the Rosoneri could have twice taken the lead through Jeremy Menez but after the Frenchman surged from halfway past several Genoa players he shot straight at Mattia Perin.

Then on 28 minutes a mistake by Grifone midfielder Juraj Kucka saw Menez dispossess the Slovakian and break through on goal to once again drill his effort directly at the goalkeeper.

With the hosts controlling possession and growing in confidence Andrea Bertolacci brought an impressive save from Diego Lopez on 31 minutes and from the resulting corner Antonelli out fought Daniele Bonera and headed Genoa into the lead.

Going behind seemed to ignite the Milan attack and Menez again provided the source of inspiration but when attempting to play in Keisuke Honda put too much on his pass and the Japan international saw his attempt blocked.

Perin was then called into action after fumbling a corner, but Philippe Mexes placed his effort straight into the hands of the keeper, as did Giacomo Bonaventura two minutes later when wriggling into the box.

However, it was Genoa who had the last chance of the half when Pablo Armero panicked under pressure in the Milan box stabbing the ball to Diego Perotti 12 yards from goal but Bonera cleared off the line.

When play resumed the competitive spirit remained with the home crowd acknowledging each and every challenge made by their players in an attempt to maintain intensity as Perotti terrorised Milan with his directness.

Struggling to cope with the energy of Gian Piero Gasperini’s side Rami and Mexes picked up bookings for needless fouls and the latter was lucky to escape a second when reacting angrily to a poor Stefano Sturaro challenge.

Despite what would be a vital win in their quest for a Champions League qualification place this season the visitors struggled to create any real openings until the final minute when the ball dropped to Bonaventura yards from goal only to blaze over.

Victory gives the Grifone hope they can also topple Roma when they visit the Marrasi next Sunday whereas the Rossoneri will be expected to perform much better against Napoli in Milan before they themselves meet the Giallorossi with potential points looking difficult to secure.

Follow Kevin Pogorzelski on Twitter: @rabbitrabbiton

 

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