AC Milan 2 Genoa 1: Last-gasp Romagnoli goes from zero to hero

Alessio Romagnoli’s stoppage time goal snatched a dramatic 2-1 win for AC Milan over Genoa at San Siro on Wednesday and moved Gennaro Gattuso’s side up to fourth in Serie A.

Romagnoli had looked like denying his side maximum points after his attempted block of Christian Kouame’s effort spun over Gianluigi Donnarumma for an unfortunate own goal 11 minutes into the second half.

That cancelled out Suso’s superb fourth-minute effort, but the Italy international produced a wonderfully instinctive finish from Genoa goalkeeper Ionut Radu’s looping punch to secure maximum points.

Gattuso has now guided Milan to back-to-back league wins following their derby defeat to Inter 10 days ago, easing pressure on his own position.

What a way to win this game. We never give up!
Sofferenza, cuore e determinazione: grandi ragazzi!#MilanGenoa 2-1 #ANewMilan pic.twitter.com/nvyrmuWJZw

— AC Milan (@acmilan) October 31, 2018

Suso – fresh from his winner against Sampdoria at the weekend – got Milan off to a fine start, fizzing a left-foot strike from 25 yards past Radu after four minutes.

Franck Kessie then flashed into the side netting and Gonzalo Higuain whipped over from a promising position as Milan threatened to double their advantage inside the opening 20 minutes.

Gattuso’s men were almost made to pay for those missed chances midway through the first half, though, when Krzysztof Piatek’s deflected effort arrowed past Donnarumma’s left-hand post.

Radu was called into action two minutes into the second half, acrobatically tipping over Higuain’s deflected effort.

The importance of that save was brought into sharp focus after 55 minutes when Kouame’s speculative attempt crashed into Romagnoli and left Donnarumma helpless.

Radu then produced two superb stops to frustrate Milan, first tipping Higuain’s 20-yard shot around the post and then repelling Kessie’s snapshot.

Donnarumma produced a stunning fingertip save to deny Darko Lazovic five minutes from time and set the scene for Romagnoli’s last-gasp lob from 20 yards over an exposed Radu.

What does it mean? Milan mirror Gattuso’s fighting spirit
Milan were far from fluid against Genoa, but carved out enough opportunities to merit a second consecutive win. Gattuso will have seen much to admire in his side’s never-say-die spirit – an attitude that characterised his own stellar playing career. Genoa, meanwhile, are in a rut and have now failed to win in four games.

Suso strikes again    
The former Genoa loanee has enjoyed a fine start to the season and is now only three goals short of his best ever Serie A return for Milan. If he carries on like this, he can surely expect to a
00000A55
dd to his two Spain caps.

Really great effort from @suso30oficial who smashed a shot from distance right into the back of the net 
Palla sul mancino, tiro da fuori e palla in rete. Che gol e che inizio!#MilanGenoa #ANewMilan pic.twitter.com/lcBGIpAxqu

— AC Milan (@acmilan) October 31, 2018

Radu frustrates Higuain
The on-loan Juve striker came up against a Genoa goalkeeper in inspired form, but he will know that a player of his stature is expected to be the difference in games like this.

Key Opta Facts
– Milan had 28 shots, their most in a Serie A game since December 2017 (31 against Verona).
– Suso has scored nine of his past 11 Serie A goals with shots from outside the box, using his left foot.

6 – AC Milan have won six of their last seven Serie A home games (1D), after they hadn’t won any of their previous four (3D 1L). Fort. #MilanGenoa pic.twitter.com/xVECXfGN1U

— OptaPaolo (@OptaPaolo) October 31, 2018

– Suso has been directly involved in 10 goals in his previous seven top-flight appearances (four goals, six assists) and has scored four from seven attempts on target having failed to find the net with the 23 before that.
– Milan have conceded goals in 16 consecutive Serie A games for the first time since 1946-47.

What’s next?
Gattuso takes his side to struggling Udinese on Sunday eyeing a third consecutive league win, while Genoa return to Milan a day earlier to face Inter at San Siro.