Nkunku and Athekame lead AC Milan past Genoa to strengthen Champions League hopes

After securing just a single victory in their previous six outings which included a draw the team known as the Rossoneri have seen their pursuit of the league title fall apart while also finding themselves at risk of not qualifying for the Champions League.

In fact prior to the match an Allegri side under considerable pressure had watched an eight point advantage over AS Roma disappear over three matches meaning Milan remain in the top four solely due to head to head results.

This uncertainty seemed to show in the opening exchanges as Genoa created the first opening when Vitinha curled a shot wide of the far post.

Milan grew into the game as it progressed and Alessandro Marcandalli produced an important tackle to stop Santiago Giménez shooting from close quarters before intercepting at the back post to prevent Christopher Nkunku from a simple finish.

However as the interval neared reports of a Roma goal arrived which pushed Milan outside the Champions League spots at halftime.

The opening forty five minutes offered few real scoring opportunities and Genoa looked set for a fourth straight league game without a goal which would be their first such run since February 2022.

Yet with their position safe and no European football in sight attention turned to Milan who acted quickly after the break.

A slip by Alex Amorim saw Justin Bijlow rush from his goal only to foul Nkunku who had got round the keeper and the Frenchman converted the resulting penalty for his second spot kick goal in successive games.

Considering Genoa’s standing a quiet second half came as no surprise without much drive to equalise.

Opportunities remained scarce and following Vitinha blazing a good chance over the crossbar Milan went two ahead when Zachary Athekame fired home with nine minutes remaining.

Jeff Ekhator almost pulled one back after a stray pass sent him clear but Mike Maignan saved well.

Johan Vásquez the captain bundled in his opening goal of the campaign from close quarters soon after creating a tense finish though Genoa could not find a way back.

A loss number eight this term against sides currently in the top ten has minimal impact on Genoa who sit fourteenth with a mid table place secured.

Milan on the other hand move up to third with the vital three points although just two points separate them from Juventus in sixth place ahead of the last matchday.