Eying to get back on winning ways after being held against Lazio in the midweek, Ac Milan disappointingly lose another ground in the competition after picking another draw against Genoa despite leading first through Alexandre Pato’s goal.
Despite dominating the game, one lack of concentration at the back right in the dying minute of the first half cost all the three points for the Rossoneri as Floro Flores managed to equalize after springing the offside trap.
Playing with another different set up in the midfield area kinda effected Milan especially in the second half as time wears off the lack of sharpness and combination between the Rossoneri midfield become evident since Genoa were focusing much on sitting deep and relying on the counter. With another new setup there’s obviously lack of chemistry especially in connecting the play with the attacking trio of Ibrahimovic, Robinho and Pato.
Moreover, without a creative force on the mid, things gets really tough for Milan as Genoa seemed really content in just getting a point from the Serie A league leader which also looked a bit tired on the game. Despite already trying to press the home team really hard especially in the final 10 minutes, the Rossoneri once again failed to produce the final blow that they successfully produce in the game against Catania last week. This draw still puts them ahead on the league table but it opened up the gap again with second place Napoli, that are only three points a drift after winning their game this weekend.
Napoli Back On Winning Ways
In other games, current second place holder, Napoli, redeem their poor performance against Chievo in the midweek with an important victory against struggling Cesena at San Paolo. Goals from Edinson Cavani and also Jose Sosa were more than enough to get them closer in the Scudetto challenge as the Partenopi are now only three points away from the Rossoneri.
Looking to at least maintain their current 5 points gap from Milan, Napoli, quickly gets off into an attacking mode against relegation battler, Cesena, and the home team gets their rewards after 13 minutes when Cavani latched into Christian Maggio’s cross from the right side. Despite controlling the game it took a while for the home team before securing their victory as they only managed to score their second goal deep in injury time through Sosa.
This victory will surely make things gets interesting next week as Milan will be forced to raise their focus and strength so they won’t lose more ground at the top of the league, especially with the likes of Inter Milan and As Roma lurking behind Napoli. With Champions League season starts again, the Rossoneri will be really need to spread their focus in the both competition equally and hopefully they would also get some of their important players fit again as in the last two games the absences of Pirlo, Boateng and Abate looked essential when the team face a dead end.
Match Reports
Genoa v Ac Milan 1-1
Goals: Floro Flores 45 (Genoa), Pato 29 (Milan)
Genoa: Eduardo; Mesto, Dainelli, Kaladze (Rafinha 90), Criscito; Konko, Kucka, Milanetto, Rossi; Floro Flores (Paloschi 70), Destro (Palacio 16)
Milan: Abbiati; Oddo, Thiago Silva, Yepes, Bonera; Gattuso, Van Bommel, Flamini (Emanuelson 75); Robinho (Cassano 63); Ibrahimovic, Pato
Napoli v Cesena 2-0
Goals: Cavani 13, Sosa 92 (Napoli)
Napoli: De Sanctis; Santacroce, Cribari, Aronica, Maggio, Yebda, Gargano, Zuniga (Dossena 85), Hamsik (Mascara 74), Lavezzi (Sosa 90), Cavani
Cesena: Antonioli; Dellafiore, Pellegrino, Von Bergen, Santon, Parolo (Rosina 81), Colucci, Caserta (Sammarco 52), Giaccherini (Budan 71), Jimenez, Bogdani
