Ancelotti On Brink As Genoa Down Milan

CelticKing · Sep 14, 2008

Ancelotti On Brink As Genoa Down Milan

Genoa 2-0 Milan

Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti may face a struggle to keep hold of his job after his side fell to their second successive defeat of the new Serie A season against Genoa. Giuseppe Sculli and the returning Diego Milito grabbed the goals for the hosts.

Genoa were without the services of the injured Matteo Paro, however Omar Milanetto returned from suspension. Diego Milito made his first appearance since returning to the club from Real Zaragoza, and forged a trident strikeforce with Giuseppe Sculli and Andrea Gasbarroni. Giandomenico Mesto also debuted following his summer move from Reggina but Raffaele Palladino was again only a substitute.

Milan were missing the injured Alessandro Nesta, Rino Gattuso and Pippo Inzaghi, but the big team news was the pairing of Brazilian stars Ronaldinho and Kaka in behind lone striker Andriy Shevchenko. Clarence Seedorf was only on the bench, as was Alexandre Pato, and defenders Kakha Kaladze and Marek Jankulovski. Paolo Maldini partnered Daniele Bonera at centre back.

First Half

Both teams came out looking to attack from the start, but it was Genoa who had the first two attempts of the game. First of all Sculli took advantage of an error by Giuseppe Favalli to volley a deflected shot wide. Then Gasbarroni danced around a defender and unleashed a low drive that forced Christian Abbiati into a diving save.

On 15 minutes, Mesto charged forward down the right flank and let fly with an ambitious effort, but Abbiati watched it wide.

Moments later, Kaka burst into life as he picked up the ball following a Genoa corner, and went on a length of the pitch run, before slicing the ball well wide from a narrow angle.

On 20 minutes Genoa launched a lightning fast counterattack of their own after Shevchenko gave the ball away, and it ended in Gasbarroni lashing a 20-yard shot just wide of the post.

It was end-to-end stuff, and Pirlo tested Rubinho with a long range shot, while Ronaldinho curled a free kick from the left over the bar.

Just second short of the half hour mark, the deadlock was finally broken, and it was Genoa who got the goal. A chipped ball into the area from the right was chested down by Milito to Sculli, who buried a right footed finish into the corner past Abbiati.

Having lost their opening game of the season to Bologna, Milan and coach Carlo Ancelotti were now really under pressure. Kaka tried to prompt a reaction, but his 30-yard shot was straight at Rubinho.

Genoa were not prepared to sit on their lead, and the impressive Gasbarroni curled a sweet free kick from distance past the post, even if Abbiati was never at risk.
Milan had created very little in the first half, with Shevchenko completely impotent up-front. Kaka had perhaps been the side’s brightest player and on 43 minutes he crashed a half volley over from outside the area.

However, it was Genoa who threatened to add a second before half time, as Milito twisted and turned in the area, and forced a smart stop from Abbiati.

Second Half

Ancelotti knew that changes needed to be made, and introduced both Seedorf and Marco Borriello, the latter who was making his first appearance after rejoining Milan in the summer from, ironically, Genoa. A tired Ronaldinho and the desperately disappointing Shevchenko made way.

Nevertheless it was the Rossoblu who created the first opening of the second half as Milito raced through and fired inches wide, but the Argentine was flagged offside so it wouldn’t have counted anyway.

Borriello then had his first attempt of the game as he chested the ball down in trademark fashion, but he didn’t get hold of his shot on the turn. The Italy international then had another effort charged down by Matteo Ferrari.

Milan’s fortunes were not really changing though, and as the game approached the hour mark they started to become more and more frustrated. This showed when Kaka was booked for simulation after tumbling in the penalty area.

Indeed Genoa again went close to doubling their advantage as Sculli raced onto Milanetto’s pass, and forced a fine save out of Abbiati at his near post.

Borriello then had a good chance of his own down the other end, as he found himself all alone with Rubinho, albeit at a tight angle, but the goalkeeper got his bearings right and beat away his left-footed effort.

On 64 minutes Zambrotta came to the rescue for the disjointed Milan as Gasbarroni was released on goal and lifted the ball over the onrushing Abbiati, but the Italy full back headed the ball away.

Ancelotti used his final card on 69 minutes as he threw on forward Pato for midfielder Flamini. The teenager almost made an immediate impact as he headed wide from a right wing cross.

In truth though, Milan had struggled all afternoon in breaking down the Genoa backline, with Ferrari and Domenico Criscito in excellent form.

On 80 minutes Sculli terrorised the Milan defence once again, but he couldn’t find a way past Abbiati.

Seconds later Milan had their best chance of the game as the ball broke to Pato inside the area, but from 10 yards out he was denied by a brilliant diving save from Rubinho. Borriello acrobatically hit the rebound wide.

Milan piled forward now looking for an equaliser. Ambrosini slashed over from a tight angle, while Zambrotta tested Rubinho from distance.

Understandably the Rossoneri now left gaps open at the back, and substitute Anthony Vanden Borre raced forward on the break, and thundered in a vicious shot that Abbiati beat away.

In the 90th minute things got even worse for Milan, as captain Maldini conceded a penalty for a trip on the outstanding Milito. The Argentine stepped up himself and crowned the perfect return to his old club by burying his spotkick into the roof of the net.

The final whistle sounded soon after. 'The Prince', Diego Milito, had well and truly returned for Genoa, whilst the leader of Milan, Carlo Ancelotti, may now struggle to keep hold of his own job.

Teams

Genoa: Rubinho; Biava, Ferrari, Criscito; Mesto (Rossi 52), Milanetto, Juric (Vanden Borre 65), Modesto; Gasbarroni (Palladino 84), Milito, Sculli

Milan: Abbiati; Zambrotta, Bonera, Maldini, Favalli; Flamini (Pato 68), Pirlo, Ambrosini; Kaka, Ronaldinho (Seedorf 45); Shevchenko (Borriello 45)

Goals

Sculli 30 (G)

Milito pen 90 (G)
Click to expand...

CelticKing · Sep 14, 2008

Didn't understand why Ancelotti took Dinho and Shevchenko out for the 2nd half.

He's going to get fired if they continue losing this way.

M Two One · Sep 14, 2008

Ronaldinho and Shevchenko are done.

CelticKing · Sep 14, 2008

They're still better than Seedorf. Ancelotti put him in for Dinho but he rarely touched the ball. They should just cut him from the team.

Claud · Sep 14, 2008

Ouch.. I just hope Juve takes advantage of this.

M Two One · Sep 14, 2008

CelticKing said: ↑

They're still better than Seedorf. Ancelotti put him in for Dinho but he rarely touched the ball. They should just cut him from the team.
Click to expand...

They need to cut about 6 to 10 players, CK. The team is a mess.

CelticKing · Sep 14, 2008

M Two One said: ↑

They need to cut about 6 to 10 players, CK. The team is a mess.
Click to expand...

Starting with Berlusconi.

lol

agoo · Sep 14, 2008

I wonder if he's friends with Raymond Domenech.

Log in or Sign up

Ancelotti On Brink As Genoa Down Milan

CelticKing The Green Monster

CelticKing The Green Monster

M Two One Halló Veröld!

CelticKing The Green Monster

Claud Legendary

M Two One Halló Veröld!

CelticKing The Green Monster

agoo Member

Share This Page

Log in or Sign up

Ancelotti On Brink As Genoa Down Milan

Moderators

CelticKing The Green Monster

CelticKing The Green Monster

M Two One Halló Veröld!

CelticKing The Green Monster

Claud Legendary

M Two One Halló Veröld!

CelticKing The Green Monster

agoo Member

Share This Page

Useful Searches