MILAN. Milan need extra time to beat a tough Genoa that never gives up, but in the end arrives in the quarter-finals of the Italian Cup by winning 3-1. The Rossoneri are now waiting for the winner of Lazio-Udinese. But they feared for a long time a sensational elimination, with the rossoblu taking the lead in the 17 ‘with Ostigard and the draw arrived only in the 74’ with a great header by Giroud. In the extra time a tired Genoa was hit by Leao in the 102nd minute and sunk by Saelemaekers in the 112th minute.
The match is delicate for the Genoa coach Andriy Shevchenko, who in a difficult moment, with the bench wobbling, receives the affectionate tribute of San Siro, where the AC Milan fans have never forgotten him, and still love him. Daniel Maldini made his debut in the Italian Cup against Genoa, as happened to his father, Paolo, in Marassi. And it is he who breaks the ice in the second minute with a personal action. Comes to the shot but crashes against the Genoa defense. Immediately after a shot by Theo Hernandez deflected for a corner, and on the corner Krunic’s header was just high. Milan immediately play the game. But Genoa contains and tries to look forward. And surprisingly it is the rossoblu who take the lead with Ostigard, on 17 ‘, with a great header from a corner kick. At 22 ‘Tomori is forced to leave the field due to a pain in his knee, Pioli inserts Florenzi in his place. Genoa, devoid of the pressures of the championship, plays its game and becomes dangerous again in the 25th minute, again on a corner, this time with Yeboah who takes it but sends it high. After an opaque first half hour, Milan begins to push to try to equalize. At 38 ‘he tries Gabbia, but his header from Florenzi’s cross from a free-kick ends up high. At 40 ‘, however, Portanova nearly doubled Genoa: his close shot ended just wide, the Rossoneri breathe a sigh of relief. Milan, however, fails to break through and ends the first half at a disadvantage.
In the second half, Genoa suffered an opportunity with Yeboah in the 46th minute, but the attempt ended out. On the reversal in front of them, the Rossoneri close to 1-1 with Gabbia, great opposition from Semper. Milan now pushes in search of an equal. But Genoa did not give up and Pioli tried to give a swerve in the 61st minute, sending Leao, Diaz and Bakayoko on the field for Rebic, Maldini and Krunic. Increase the offensive weight of the hosts. At 66 ‘chance on the head of Messias in the open area, but the shot is high. In the 73rd minute it was Giroud who scored with a splendid header from Theo Hernandez’s perfect cross. Milan grabs the draw and now they believe it. Leao’s entry changed the face of a listless and renounced team for the first 60 minutes. Genoa, however, is determined to sell the skin dearly and defends itself with order. So the Rossoneri fail to break through and we go to extra time.
Milan seem determined not to get to penalties: in the 2 ‘of the first extra period, Leao touches the goal, Semper is well opposed. At 4 ‘it is Tonali who throws a great shot from outside that touches the post, at 5’ a pinball machine in the Genoa area and the ball ends up on the bottom. It’s solo Milan. However, Genoa takes measures and slows down the game. At 9 ‘Theo Hernandez fails to coordinate from a good position, ball over the crossbar. At 12 ‘Leao catches the wild card: a soft cross-shot bypasses the goalkeeper and slips under the crossbar. Maybe a mistake, he didn’t want to shoot, as his smile after the goal says. But it is the prize for a player who alone has awakened Milan with his entry, changing the game. Now the Rossoneri have to do is check in the second extra period, in which they also find Saelemaekers’ goal in the 112th minute. For Shevchenko, probably on the way out, there remains the satisfaction of having committed this Milan until the 120 ‘, in front of an audience that adores him and praised him several times during the match.