VICTORY OVER GENOA: PRIMAVERA IN THE PLAY-OFFS | OneFootball

Federico Guidi's Milan Primavera managed it right at the end. Genoa were our opposition on the 38th and last matchday of Primavera 1. There was only one aim: we had to win and get good news from Monza, where Hellas Verona (sixth in the table) were playing. The Rossoneri were in seventh, yet still determined to reach the Play-offs, and despite a long list of absentees, we had to win. Our opposition were Genoa, comfortable in 11th place, and although they had nothing to play for in the table, they kept the game competitive right until the end. The first half ended 1-0 to AC Milan thanks to Mattia Liberali's converted penalty, in a first half which wasn't particularly great, but well-managed by both sides. After the break, the game lit up. Genoa immediately found an equaliser, but we got news from Monza that everyone was hoping for: Hellas went 1-0 down. The Rossoneri response then came straight away. Ibrahimović first and Scotti in added time sealed a 3-1 win: Verona couldn't come back and they lost 1-0. As such, AC Milan leapfrogged the Gialloblù, finishing in sixth place and gaining access to the Play-offs. It's an achievement that rewards the league's youngest squad for our work and growth. We are now ready to give it everything in the final, most decisive part of the season. The play-off will be played next Saturday at the Viola Park against Sassuolo, the defending champions and third in the table. CHECK OUT THE GALLERY FROM AC MILAN v GENOA

MATCH REPORT The game began intensely, but without much to write home about. In the 18th minute, Arboscello burst down the left but his cross was cleared, and just one minute later, the Rossoneri responded with a counter-attack: Liberali set up Perrucci, whose shot across the goal just went wide of the mark. In the 24th minute, Bonomi got close to the opener with his long-range effort that struck the post; the ball then did find its way into the net off the rebound but it was ruled out for offside. In the 32nd minute, the Rossoneri were awarded a penalty: Liberali stepped up and slotted past the keeper to make it 1-0. Genoa tried to respond, but Colzani was on hand in the 38th minute to fly in and block Rossi's effort. There were a few changes at the start of the second half, with Ossola replacing Perrucci for the Rossoneri. Genoa started well and in the 49th minute Grossi's great volley just went wide of the post. Two minutes later, however, they found the equaliser: Nuredini exposed our high line, getting in behind Nissen and beating Colzani. Then, in the 60th minute, Arboscello missed a fantastic chance from Dorgu's cross. However, in the 75th minute AC Milan got back in front: Bonomi was sent in behind and chipped it over the keeper, with Ibrahimović tapping it home before the Genoa defender could intervene. Two minutes later, Carbone struck the bar from close range. In added time, Scotti sealed the deal with his goal to make it 3-1.

MATCH DETAILS

AC MILAN 3-1 GENOA

AC MILAN (4-2-3-1): Colzani; Perera, Nissen, Parmiggiani, Colombo (61' Di Siena); Sala, Hodzic (58' Ibrahimović); Perrucci (46' Ossola), Liberali (58' Mancioppi), Bonomi (78' Vladimirov); Scotti. Subs: Faccioli; Cappelletti, Tartaglia; Perin; Asanji, Perina. Coach: Guidi.

GENOA (4-3-1-2): Consiglio; Odero, Ferroni (46' Colonnese), Klysis, Meconi; Grossi (87' Gibertini), Rossi, Arboscello (67' Pinto); Carbone; Dorgu (67' Spicuglia), Nuredini. Subs: Magalotti, Pallavicini, Mendolia, Pagliari, Deseri, Arata, Bellone. Coach: Sbravati.

Referee: Gangi from Enna. Goals: 32' pen. Liberali (M), 51' Nuredini (G), 75' Ibrahimović (M), 90'+2 Scotti (M). Booked: 21' Perrucci (M), 50' Carbone (G), 61' Meconi (G), 87' Rossi.

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