Genoa 1-2 AC Milan: Leao and Own Goal Seal Dramatic Comeback.

Genoa 1-2 AC Milan: Leao and Own Goal Seal Dramatic Comeback.

Genoa 1-2 AC Milan, Serie A: Quickfire Goals Snatch Comeback Win.

AC Milan staged a dramatic late comeback to defeat Genoa 2-1 in a rain-soaked Serie A clash at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris on May 5, 2025.

Trailing after Vitinha’s 62nd-minute strike, the Rossoneri turned the game on its head with two goals in as many minutes: Rafael Leao’s deflected equaliser in the 76th minute and an own goal by Morten Frendrup in the 78th minute. The victory underscored Milan’s knack for recovering from losing positions, as they claimed 19 points from such scenarios this season, more than any other Serie A side.

Match Summary

· Result: Genoa 1-2 AC Milan.

· Venue: Stadio Luigi Ferraris, Genoa.

· Goals:

o Genoa: Vitinha (62’).

o AC Milan: Rafael Leao (76’), Morten Frendrup (78’, own goal).

· Key Stats:

o Milan have earned 19 points from losing positions in Serie A this season, the most in the league.

o Milan created 1.09 expected goals (xG) compared to Genoa’s 0.57.

o Rafael Leao has been involved in five goals in his last six away games (three goals, two assists).

o Leao is one of three players with at least eight goals and eight assists in Serie A this term, alongside Christian Pulisic and Romelu Lukaku.

· Impact: Milan’s fifth win in eight league games strengthens their push for a top-four finish, while Genoa’s resilient display was undone by late misfortune.

Match Report
First Half: Maignan Keeps Milan Afloat

The opening 45 minutes were dominated by Genoa, who pressed high and exploited Milan’s sluggish start. The hosts, buoyed by the passionate home crowd, created a string of chances, with Andrea Pinamonti and Alejandro Balde testing Milan’s goalkeeper Mike Maignan. The French shot-stopper was the standout performer, making four crucial saves, including a stunning reflex stop to deny Pinamonti’s close-range header.

Milan, by contrast, struggled to find rhythm in a relentless downpour that made the pitch heavy and passing imprecise. Christian Pulisic and Samuel Chukwueze saw little of the ball, while Tijjani Reijnders was overrun in midfield by Genoa’s energetic duo of Morten Frendrup and Milan Badelj. Despite their territorial dominance, Genoa failed to convert, and the score remained 0-0 at the break.

Stat: Maignan’s four saves in the first half accounted for 0.42 xG denied, keeping Milan in the game.

Second Half: Game Bursts into Life

The second half began in a disjointed fashion, with frequent stoppages for injuries and the rain continuing to hamper fluid play. Milan showed slight improvement, with Rafael Leao beginning to find space on the left, but Genoa remained the more dangerous side. The introduction of Vitinha in the 61st minute proved a masterstroke for Genoa’s manager Alberto Gilardino. Just one minute after coming on, the substitute made an instant impact, latching onto a pinpoint cross from Aaron Martin and smashing the ball past Maignan with his first touch to give Genoa a 1-0 lead.

The goal sparked Milan into action. Manager Paulo Fonseca responded by bringing on Yunus Musah and Noah Okafor, injecting fresh energy into the attack. In the 76th minute, Leao delivered the equaliser. Picking up the ball on the left, he cut inside, evaded two defenders, and unleashed a shot that deflected off Mattia Bani and wrong-footed Nicola Leali to make it 1-1. The goal, credited to Leao, highlighted his growing influence in away games.

Barely two minutes later, Milan completed the turnaround. A swift counter-attack saw Alvaro Morata play a through ball to Okafor, whose low cross was inadvertently turned into his own net by Morten Frendrup under pressure from Fikayo Tomori. The own goal handed Milan a 2-1 lead, leaving Genoa stunned.

Key Moment: Milan’s quickfire goals in the 76th and 78th minutes flipped the game, showcasing their ability to seize critical moments.

Late Push Falls Short

Genoa threw everything at Milan in the final stages, with Pinamonti and Ruslan Malinovskyi forcing Maignan into further saves. A late free-kick from Badelj clipped the crossbar, but Milan’s defence, marshalled by Matteo Gabbia and Tomori, held firm. The Rossoneri saw out five minutes of stoppage time to secure a hard-fought 2-1 victory, their fifth in eight league games.

Stat Alert: Milan’s 1.09 xG from nine shots underlined their efficiency, while Genoa’s 13 shots produced just 0.57 xG, reflecting their profligacy.

Manager and Player Reactions
Paulo Fonseca (AC Milan)

Speaking to DAZN, Fonseca praised his team’s resilience: “This was a tough game, especially in the first half when Genoa were very strong. Mike [Maignan] kept us in it, and in the second half, we showed character to come back. Rafael [Leao] was decisive, and the team’s mentality to fight until the end is what defines us this season.”

Fonseca also highlighted Milan’s comeback record: “We’ve won 19 points from losing positions. It shows the belief in this group. Genoa are a difficult opponent, especially here, but we found a way.”

Rafael Leao (AC Milan)

The match-winner reflected on his impact: “It’s always special to score and help the team. The conditions were tough, but we stayed focused. We know we can always come back, and today we showed it again.” Leao’s goal took him to eight goals and eight assists for the season, cementing his status as one of Serie A’s elite attackers.

Alberto Gilardino (Genoa)

Genoa’s manager was left to rue missed opportunities: “We dominated the first half and deserved the lead in the second. Vitinha’s goal was fantastic, but we switched off for two minutes, and that cost us. The own goal was unlucky, but we need to be more clinical and manage those moments better.”

Player Performances
Standout Performers

· Mike Maignan (AC Milan): Made six saves, including four in the first half, to keep Milan level. His distribution also sparked counter-attacks.

· Rafael Leao (AC Milan): Scored the equaliser and was a constant threat, completing 3/4 dribbles and winning 7/10 duels.

· Vitinha (Genoa): Scored with his first touch just a minute after coming on, showing his predatory instincts.

· Morten Frendrup (Genoa): Despite the unfortunate own goal, he was tireless in midfield, winning 8/11 duels and making four tackles.

Notable Mentions

· Fikayo Tomori (AC Milan): Solid at the back and applied pressure for the own goal.

· Andrea Pinamonti (Genoa): Created three chances but was denied by Maignan’s brilliance.

· Christian Pulisic (AC Milan): Quiet for much of the game but provided two key passes in the second half.

Tactical Analysis

Genoa

Genoa employed a high-pressing 3-5-2, with Frendrup and Badelj controlling midfield and Balde and Martin stretching play as wing-backs. Their first-half dominance stemmed from quick transitions and overloading Milan’s flanks. Vitinha’s introduction added a clinical edge, but defensive lapses during Milan’s quickfire goals exposed their vulnerability to counters. Gilardino’s side created enough to win but lacked composure in key moments.

AC Milan

Milan’s 4-2-3-1 struggled early, with Reijnders and Ruben Loftus-Cheek overrun in midfield. Fonseca’s decision to introduce Musah and Okafor shifted the momentum, allowing Leao and Morata to exploit spaces. Milan’s ability to capitalise on set-pieces and counters proved decisive, while their defensive solidity in the final stages ensured they held on. Maignan’s heroics were the foundation for the comeback.

Historical Context

Milan’s victory continued their strong recent form, with five wins in eight league games (D1, L2), matching their win tally from the previous 14 matches. Their 19 points from losing positions highlight a never-say-die attitude under Fonseca. For Genoa, the defeat was a setback after a solid run, but their performance showed they can compete with Serie A’s heavyweights. The Stadio Ferraris remains a tough venue, with Milan’s win only their second in five visits.

Stat: Milan’s 19 points from losing positions is the highest in Serie A, surpassing Inter (15) and Juventus (13).

Data Debrief

· Expected Goals (xG): Milan 1.09, Genoa 0.57.

· Shots: Genoa 13, Milan 9.

· Possession: Milan 52%, Genoa 48%.

· Key Player: Leao’s five goal involvements in six away games (three goals, two assists) underline his importance on the road.

· Milestone: Leao joins Pulisic and Lukaku as the only players with 8+ goals and 8+ assists in Serie A this season.

Looking Ahead

· AC Milan: Face Atalanta next, a crucial test in their bid for a Champions League spot. Leao’s form and Maignan’s reliability will be key.

· Genoa: Travel to Bologna, where they’ll aim to rediscover their clinical edge. Vitinha’s impact off the bench could earn him a start.

AC Milan’s 2-1 comeback win over Genoa was a testament to their resilience and attacking quality. Mike Maignan’s first-half heroics kept them in the game, while Rafael Leao’s brilliance and Morten Frendrup’s misfortune swung the match in Milan’s favour. Genoa’s spirited display, led by Vitinha’s instant impact, deserved more, but their failure to capitalise on early dominance proved costly. As Milan continue their push for a top-four finish, this victory could prove a defining moment in their Serie A campaign.