There is a team in Serie A this season who has excelled at defeating themselves above all else. The team with the third highest wagebill, but stands in the ninth place on the table. I speak, of course of Milan. If there is a way to concede a goal when they are otherwise playing well, they will find it. If the entire team is focused, but just one error could change everything, one individual will step up... always. However, with Conceição, that has been slowly changing – Milan will choke first, but then come back and draw or win. In fact, Milan have earned 19 points now coming back from a losing situation, the most in Serie A, according to OptaPaolo. But Genoa are still learning the first part, and lost 1-2 to Milan, largely due to taking part in the self-defeating mentorship program.
 |
| Celebrating Genoa's generosity. |
Maignan has embraced the nickname "Magic Mike," but in this match, he was more like Miracle Mike. And that started in the eighth minute with a miraculous fingertip save to keep out Norton-Cuffy's shot. The next shot from Norton-Cuffy was straight to Maignan, and easily managed. Pavolović introduced himself to our former player, Junior Messias a little too forcefully in the 21st minute, and was shown a yellow card for that introduction by new referee Giuseppe Collu.
 |
| Seriously. Why hasn't he been renewed? It's embarrassing. |
Miracle Mike's next saves were in the 22nd, where he first saved a near own goal from Pulisic in which the ball mostly crossed the line, and then a follow-up attempt from Pinamomti in quick succession. Which begs the question, why hasn't he been renewed yet? Speaking of players who should have been renewed already, Theo Hernandez, one card away from suspension, nearly saw yellow for dissent in the 25th minute. However, he held it together, even though he was rightfully angry because of contact on Fofana from Messias for which the Milan midfielder needed treatment for. Collu was generous with yellow cards on the night, but certainly not in all circumstances.
In the 27th minute, Thorsby came in with a reckless two-footed challenge on Álex Jiménez and received Genoa's sole yellow card of the night. This is notable, because not only could that have been a red card in and of itself, Thorsby, his Viking DNA apparently getting the best of him, committed multiple other potentially yellow card-able offenses on the night without receiving a second yellow. I get that Collu is a relatively new referee, and his boss, the infamous Gianluca Rocchi, was there to observe his performance. But such lopsided calls are frowned upon, even for him.
 |
| The unplanned sub and gamechanger due to Fofana's misfortune. |
Theo's anger about the contact with Fofana was further justified when, in the 28th, he had to be substituted. Conceicão changed his gameplan, bringing Rafa Leão on to replace Fofana. Postmatch, Conceição mentioned that Fofana had been having a slight problem with his foot, but the blow in the match forced him off the pitch. Of course, Leão's MVP performance made a lot of people forget about poor Fofana.
The first half continued, with Theo sending a shot straight to Leali and then Sabelli sending a shot straight to Maignan at the other end. Then Pulisic, already having forced Maignan into a remarkable save in our own goal, took a shot in Genoa's goal that Leali miraculously saved point blank with his leg. Normally, Pulisic gets his name on either the goals or assists columns, this time, he gave each keeper a brilliant save. So generous.
 |
| Pulisic padding the stats of both goalkeepers. |
The pouring rain and the intensity of the Marassi made for a very brutal match, and with one player already subbed off with an injury, in the 53rd, Masini awkwardly fouled Loftus-Cheek, whose boot apparently clipped Masini's face as he fell, so he was down for some time getting treatment and had to go off until they could stop the bleeding. A few miniutes later, Reijnders was down needing treatment. It's rather amazing that there wasn't more stoppage time, honestly for all the injuries sustained.
In the 57th, Tomori got to the ball, and Thorsby came in late and high, kicking Tomori in the ribcage, catching his hand, and also his back somehow, too. I still have not figured out how referees will sometimes card players for bad or late challenges when they did not get the ball at all, and in a situation like this, which was so dangerous, Collu did not even give a warning.
 |
| João Félix is oft maligned, but was integral in both goals once he came on. |
Frendrup sent a dangerous shot just wide in the 58th, but it was in the 61st that Genoa finally scored. Vitinha, having just been subbed on, scored with his first touch of the game. 1-0 Genoa. A few minutes later, Genoa wanted a penalty call as Vitinha went down in the box after he elbowed Pavlović in the face and flung himself to the ground. Luckily, Collu clearly was not interested in sending anyone off while Rocchi was there, and with Pavlović already on a yellow card (and more likely, having seen what actually happened,) he did not give a penalty. VAR reviewed the play as well, and rightfully, no penalty was given to Genoa.
In the 69th minute, Loftus-Cheek gave Thorsby a firsthand demonstration about how to give a dangerous challenge, and the Milan midfielder was quickly carded for his efforts. Then Conceiçao replaced Jović with Santi Gimenez and Álex Jiménez with João Félix. (Remember how I always say Conceição's subs come on and make a difference?) Once again, Thorsby came in with a really bad challenge, this time on João Félix, and right in front of Collu. But was he shown a second yellow? No. Vieira wisely subbed him off, though, as soon as possible, before he could actually harm someone.
 |
| A lowkey celebration for the player who assisted and the goalscorer on his 70th goal. |
Less than five minutes later, João Félix sent a ball forward to Santi Gimenez, who crossed it to Rafa Leão, who settled the ball, then sent the ball screaming past Leali into the back of the net for the equalizer. 1-1 all. This was Leão's 70th goal for Milan. And all three of Conceição's subs contributed to that goal as well. After VAR confirmed that Gimenez was not offside, play resumed.
The ball was sent forward once again, and this time, it was Leão who sent the cross in toward João Félix, who was there, ready to score his first Serie A goal. But Frendrup could not let him have it, the selfish fiend. Just the mere presence of João Félix was so threatening to him that he poked it into the back of the net himself for an own goal. The winning goal, even. 2-1 Milan. Truly, Genoa are very fast learners at this self-destruct thing.
 |
| Conceição is not given the credit he deserves for making gamechanging decisions. |
Conceição then took the opportunity to replace Tomori with Walker and Pulisic with Musah (why he always subs an American for an American is really strange to me... they are such different players. But I do get the stereotype.) Then Leão picked up a yellow card for a foul on Vitinha, so will miss our league match vs. Bologna on Friday. Which is perfect, he'll have more time to spend with his latest Serie A Player of the Match trophy. Actually, it really is not the worst thing in the world, because he will be well rested for the Coppa Final, and he will be back with a clear slate when we play Roma the following match, who are undefeated in 19 straight Serie A matches.
Collu was not done yet, though. Gabbia was also shown a yellow card for a foul on Ahanor, then João Félix was shown a yellow card for timewasting. Five yellow cards for Milan, only one for Genoa, but Milan were the team with the player who had to leave the pitch due to injury. Sure, that checks out. Leão had one final shot saved in stoppage time, but the physical battle of Genoa vs. Genoa and Milan vs. Genoa was finally over.
 |
| Theo and an old friend, Genoa's number 10. |
And with the other results, Milan actually did close the gap on the table, just two points below eighth place Fiorentina, and six points below the three way tie for fourth place. This weekend's fixtures could really change that order up, too. Milan are head to head with seventh place Bologna, fourth place Juve face sixth place Lazio, and third place Atalanta face fifth place Roma. Also, it should make fans happy that it is now mathematically impossible for Milan to finish lower than ninth place, and technically mathematically still possible to get a European spot, though very,very unlikely.
As mentioned in the preview, Genoa-Milan is rarely without incident, and this was no exception. A group of Genoa Ultras attempted to attack the Milan fan busses on their way back home, but luckily, local law enforcement were able to intervene and keep everyone safe. The flip side of that is a sweet story about a little boy who is struggling with a difficult illness who is known by his screen name, Emmanuelesuperstar16. And Milan players were sweet enough to take pictures with him, with Leão even imitated the child's signature gesture in his photo, a moment of kindness to make the little boy's day.
 |
| If you see Leão doing this, it's already too late. |
Not every match can be beautiful football, sometimes it's wet and violent. And sometimes Milan wins by their own impetus, other times, they get a little help from the other team. What was most important in this match was that they got the three points. History will not be kind to this season, but finishing nearer the top eight on points will at least spare some measure of humiliation. And speaking of humiliation, when it comes to learning how to sabotage oneself, Genoa are very fast learners. Or Milan are very good teachers. Either way, I would call this mentorship program a success.
This post inspired by the music of Stone Temple Pilot's "Vasoline"
Be sure to check out the latest Milan Obsession Podcast
Campionato Primavera 1 Week 37