Friday March 8, 2013 Day 28 Finished Stadio Luigi Ferraris
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Serie A - Balotelli on target again as Milan beat Genoa
Mario Balotelli scored his fifth goal in five games for Milan as they survived a second-half red card to defeat Genoa 2-0. More
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Live Commentary
Time:90'- Genoa
- AC Milan
90+4' FULL TIME. Strikers Pazzini and Balotelli on target as Milan warm up nicely for their game against Barcelona in midweek. Constant saw red but the visitors held on at Genoa.- 90+3' Now Montolivo rushes out to block an effort from Vargas as Milan stand firm again.
- 90+2' When the corner comes in, Flamini executes a brilliant block to deny Immobile.
- 90+1' Nice bit of skill from Portanova as he produces a cute backheel in the box but Abate is alert to the danger and turns the ball behind for a corner.
- 90' We will have four added minutes.
- 89' Tozser has a shot blocked from 25 yards and Milan desperately clear the ball. Good, resolute defending from the Rossoneri.
- 88' Actually scrap that - Antonelli was booked for something he said following the challenge from a team-mate.
87' Balotelli gets a kick to the shin and appears to be hurt, with Antonelli going into the book as a result.- 86' Genoa, meanwhile, will stay five points clear of danger having played a game more than the three teams behind them: Siena, Palermo and Pescara.
- 84' Just a reminder that Milan will move to within two points of second-placed Napoli with a win tonight.
- 82' Niang and Abbiati both show bravery to clear for Milan as the ball comes back into the box.
- 81' Milan are holding out well, with Abbiati very impressive, and it looks as though the away side are going to do just enough.
- 79' Genoa putting on plenty of pressure now.
77' Bosko Jankovic comes on for Granqvist as Genoa go for it.- 76' Jorquera has a shot saved by Abbiati as the Genoa onslaught continues!
75' Another penalty appeal for Genoa! Granqvist goes down in the box but nothing given. That one didn't look as good as the incidents in the first half.- 74' Antonelli drills in a first-time effort from 30 yards but Zapata supplies the block. Now a cross comes in from Vargas but Abbiati holds onto it under pressure.
- 72' Montolivo with a free-kick on the right and Niang doesn't get a clean connection at the back post as his side-footed effort catches Balotelli and finds Frey.
- 71' Vargas with a corner for Genoa and Portanova gets a firm head to the ball, sending it bouncing up into the arms of Abbiati.
- 68' Genoa also make a change as Bovo is taken off, probably to stop himself being sent off. Jorquera is on.
- 67' Milan swiftly make a change with Ignazio Abate on for El Shaarawy.
- 66' The challenge from Bovo was very poor but Constant's reaction to it was silly. He got himself sent off there.
65' RED CARD! Constant it was who was fouled and he reacts terribly, earning a second yellow card for going after the Genoa players!- 64' FIGHT! Bovo goes into the book to spark a prolonged bout of pushing between the two sets of players! Chaos!
- 63' Milan haven't played well at all today but they somehow lead 2-0. This will cut Napoli's lead over them to two points.
- 61' Balotelli now has five goals in five Serie A games since joining Milan in January from Manchester City.
60' GOAL! Genoa 0-2 Milan! From the resulting corner, Genoa's defence starts to come out before getting caught by a delicious little pass from Zapata, who plays in Super Mario. His finish is emphatic, across Frey and into the far corner.- 60' MILAN GO CLOSE! Great close control from Flamini as he nicks the ball past his marker on the edge of the box and rifles in a low effort that is turned round the post by Frey.
- 59' A change for Genoa as Ciro Immobile replaces Cassani.
- 58' Borriello and Antonelli combine before the latter finds Bertolacci with a lovely pass. He tries to shoot and sees his effort blocked, but a return pass was the better option.
- 56' Flamini goes into the book for a shameful dive in the box. He leapt over Frey and rolled around looking for the penalty, but it never came.
- 54' Borriello gets a snapshot away in the box as the ball finds him near the penalty spot but his connection is poor and he hits the ball at Abbiati.
- 53' Balotelli switches the ball to his left foot 20 yards from goal and absolutely hammers a shot just over the bar.
- 52' Another chance for Genoa but this one is much less of a threat, Vargas sending a low shot bobbling through for Abbiati.
- 51' That really was a tremendous hit from Bovo. Abbiati couldn't quite get his fingertips to it and the Genoa man was so unlucky to see it come back off the post.
- 50' GENOA HIT THE POST! A wonderful free-kick from Bovo as he belts in a shot from 30 yards and sees his viciously curling effort cannon off the woodwork.
- 49' Cameras pick up a bit of barging between Borriello and Zapata. That's one to watch off the ball.
- 48' El Shaarawy cuts in from the left and drifts across goal before producing a weak shot which rolls harmlessly at Frey. Flamini wanted the pass.
- 47' Milan have made a change at the break with Mario Yepes replacing Mexes in the centre of defence.
46' KICK OFF!- 45+2' HALF-TIME Pazzini's goal has Milan in front - but he's gone off injured.
- 45+1' Something of a low-key end to the half here. Milan have done just enough judging by the scoreline, but they don't really deserve the lead.
- 45' We will have two added minutes.
- 43' It hasn't been the most convincing performance you will ever seen from Milan, who could have given away at least two penalties.
- 42' Niang needs attention as he comes over to the touchline - he appears to be bleeding from the nose.
- 40' Muntari controls with his thigh in his own box and Bertolacci catches him with a terrible lunge. I cannot believe that has not warranted a yellow card.
- 39' Another shout for a penalty! Daniel Tozser whips the ball in and Niang clearly pushes Granqvist in the back before Borriello spoons the shot over the bar. That also looked a decent shout.
- 38' Niang muscles Antonelli off the ball but is penalised, giving away a free-kick to Genoa...
- 35' Vargas has a shot blocked for Genoa, who could arguably have had three penalties so far. One was a dead cert, the other too more debatable.
- 34' GENOA WANT A PENALTY! Bovo chips a free-kick to the back post and a header comes back across goal from Borriello, striking Niang's arm. It was close range but why has he got his hands up in the air? Looked a pen to me.
- 32' Now Constant is in the book for Milan - the third player to be cautioned - as he trips Bovo in full flight. It looked like he got a nick on the ball.
- 30' Balotelli now appears to have a sore shin following a challenge, and Robinho is warming up! Surely they won't have to make another sub.
- 28' A big cheer from all corners of the ground can only mean one thing: the referee fell over!
- 27' Genoa howl for a penalty when the ball strikes Zapata on the arm but it looked unintentional and the referee agrees.
- 26' And inside 20 seconds Balotelli is booked for a silly push on Bertolacci from behind. Madness.
- 25' Here is the change and Pazzini comes off to be replaced by Balotelli. He certainly left his mark on the game though.
- 23' Lucky Milan didn't take him off! Balotelli is warming up though and they may still make the chance.
- 22' GOAL! Genoa 0-1 Milan! He might be hobbling around on one leg but Pazzini puts Milan in front with a thunderous finish. Portanova produces a poor clearance from inside the box and Pazzini hammers a right-footed effort in off the underside of the bar.
- 21' Now Niang looks lively again as his cross from the right is cleared by Portanova. Now Pazzini hobbles back onto the pitch. He doesn't look too smart.
- 20' MILAN GO CLOSE! Niang with a thunderous shot but Frey gets his fingers to the ball and makes the save.
- 19' Pazzini needs the magic spray as he receives treatment. His leg appeared to jar and he looks in some pain.
- 18' Daniele Portanova is the first man in the book when coming in from behind on Pazzini and catching his trailing leg. Not a pleasant one.
- 17' Constant runs out of space on the left so checks back for Sulley Muntari, who swings in a cross and sees it headed away.
- 16' Christian Zapata brings down Bertolacci just inside the box but the referee waves it away. Replays show it was a close one though - could easily have been given.
- 15' Milan see a cross from the left blocked as Pazzini fails to get on the end of it and Genoa clear. Milan have created very little.
- 13' Riccardo Montolivo with the free-kick but he gets far too much on the ball and sends it curling over and wide.
- 12' Constant drives in from the left but Cassani clumsily brings him to ground to give away the free-kick some 30 yards from goal.
- 11' Luca Antonelli gets a cross in from the left as Genoa apply more pressure but Abbiati claps the ball confidently.
- 9' Ooh, lovely stuff from Bertolacci. He finds space on the edge of the box with some silky skills and then fires in a bouncing effort that Abbiati saves at his near post.
- 8' Better from Genoa as they knock the ball around confidently.
- 7' Mattia Cassani tries to play in Cesare Bovo down the line and the defender does well to chase it down and keep the ball in play. Milan aren't expecting it but they recover.
- 6' Today's game was moved to the Friday to aid Milan in their quest to knock out Barca having won 2-0 at home in the first leg. They should be nice and fresh for Camp Nou.
- 5' Niang takes the ball off El Shaarawy and rolls his foot over it to lose a man, but his next touch takes the ball away from him and Genoa intervene.
- 4' The surface in Genoa is patchy and sandy but Milan appear to be gliding over it at present in a confident start. They have such a dangerous attack.
- 3' Milan press forward for the first time and Kevin Constant gets a dangerous cross away from the left, only for Sebastien Frey to get his hands to it.
- 2' Genoa knit a nice passing move together early on but Andrea Bertolacci can't get a shot away from 20 yards for the home side.
1' KICK OFF! Milan attacking right to left in their white change kit.- 19:45 Out come the teams at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris as we prepare for a bit of Friday night action in Serie A. Fancy Milan to come out on top but former striker Marco Borriello could cause problems.
- 19:40 Genoa haven't actually been on terrible form with just one defeat in their past six outings, though that was their most recent game against Roma. Milan are undefeated in nine in all competitions, winning six.
- 19:35 TEAMS: Genoa: Frey, Granqvist, Moretti, Portanova, Bovo, Vargas, Antonelli, Cassani, Tozser, Borriello, Bertolacci. /// Milan: Abbiati, De Sciglio, Mexes, Zapata, Constant, Muntari, Flamini, Montolivo, Pazzini, Niang, El Shaaraway.
- 19:30 Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the Serie A match between Genoa and Milan at Stadio Luigi Ferraris. Milan are aiming to move to within two points of second-placed Napoli, Genoa start the day five clear of relegation.
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Summary
- 75' Another penalty appeal for Genoa! Granqvist goes down in the box but nothing given. That one didn't look as good as the incidents in the first half.
- 71' Vargas with a corner for Genoa and Portanova gets a firm head to the ball, sending it bouncing up into the arms of Abbiati.
- 65' RED CARD! Constant it was who was fouled and he reacts terribly, earning a second yellow card for going after the Genoa players!
- 60' GOAL! Genoa 0-2 Milan! From the resulting corner, Genoa's defence starts to come out before getting caught by a delicious little pass from Zapata, who plays in Super Mario. His finish is emphatic, across Frey and into the far corner.
- 60' MILAN GO CLOSE! Great close control from Flamini as he nicks the ball past his marker on the edge of the box and rifles in a low effort that is turned round the post by Frey.
- 54' Borriello gets a snapshot away in the box as the ball finds him near the penalty spot but his connection is poor and he hits the ball at Abbiati.
- 53' Balotelli switches the ball to his left foot 20 yards from goal and absolutely hammers a shot just over the bar.
- 50' GENOA HIT THE POST! A wonderful free-kick from Bovo as he belts in a shot from 30 yards and sees his viciously curling effort cannon off the woodwork.
- 39' Another shout for a penalty! Daniel Tozser whips the ball in and Niang clearly pushes Granqvist in the back before Borriello spoons the shot over the bar. That also looked a decent shout.
- 34' GENOA WANT A PENALTY! Bovo chips a free-kick to the back post and a header comes back across goal from Borriello, striking Niang's arm. It was close range but why has he got his hands up in the air? Looked a pen to me.
- 22' GOAL! Genoa 0-1 Milan! He might be hobbling around on one leg but Pazzini puts Milan in front with a thunderous finish. Portanova produces a poor clearance from inside the box and Pazzini hammers a right-footed effort in off the underside of the bar.
- 20' MILAN GO CLOSE! Niang with a thunderous shot but Frey gets his fingers to the ball and makes the save.
- 16' Christian Zapata brings down Bertolacci just inside the box but the referee waves it away. Replays show it was a close one though - could easily have been given.
- 9' Ooh, lovely stuff from Bertolacci. He finds space on the edge of the box with some silky skills and then fires in a bouncing effort that Abbiati saves at his near post.
- 19:35 TEAMS: Genoa: Frey, Granqvist, Moretti, Portanova, Bovo, Vargas, Antonelli, Cassani, Tozser, Borriello, Bertolacci. /// Milan: Abbiati, De Sciglio, Mexes, Zapata, Constant, Muntari, Flamini, Montolivo, Pazzini, Niang, El Shaaraway.
Team Line-up & Ratings
GenoaManager: Davide Ballardini
AC MilanManager: Massimiliano Allegri
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Line-up
Live Team Line-Up
Starting line-up
- S. Frey
- A. Granqvist
- D. Portanova
- E. Moretti
- C. Bovo
- J. Vargas
- M. Cassani
- D. Tözsér
- L. Antonelli
- A. Bertolacci
- M. Borriello
Subs
Starting line-up
- C. Abbiati
- M. De Sciglio
- C. Zapata
- P. Mexès
- K. Constant
- R. Montolivo
- M. Flamini
- S. Muntari
- M. Niang
- S. El Shaarawy
- G. Pazzini
Subs
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Rate Players
77′ ha ha ha sad bawbag Morty man city's loss Super Mario
milan buying the reffs aparantly
Match fixing at its finest. Milan always with the ref in their pocket.
gotta love Mario. what a nutjob.
penalty Milan! just practicing for the inevitable.
Andiamo Rossonerri!!
forza milan
