Serie A | Milan 0-0 Genoa: Rossoneri disappoint on anniversary | OneFootball

Milan looked toothless and their best chance saw Alvaro Morata thump the crossbar on a special night for the club, as Genoa remain unbeaten under new coach Patrick Vieira.

Paulo Fonseca took action after his angry Champions League rant, dropping Theo Hernandez in favour of Alex Jimenez, while 17-year-old Mattia Liberali got his Serie A debut. Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Christian Pulisic, Musah, Ismael Bennacer, Luka Jovic, Kevin Zeroli and Alessandro Florenzi were all injured. Patrick Vieira missed Junior Messias, Caleb Ekuban, Jeff Ekhator, Koni De Winter, Ruslan Malinovskyi and Honest Ahanor.

The Rossoneri were wearing a special edition jersey following celebrations to mark the 125th anniversary of the club’s foundation, with legends parading on the pitch.

See how it unfolded on the Liveblog.

Emerson Royal forced a tricky save out of Nicola Leali in the opening minutes after a strong Tijjani Reijnders run, while Leali had penalty appeals waved away when he ran into Fabio Miretti, whose leg was left dangling dangerously.

Moments later, a free kick was taken short for the Reijnders rocket that Miretti deflected inches over the bar, but Samuel Chukwueze was wasteful when blasting wide undisturbed from a Jimenez cross following the Rafael Leao back-heel flick.

Nicola Leali flapped the ball onto his own upright from a Milan corner after Milan Badelj risked an own goal in a scramble in the six-yard box, then struggled to get control of a deflected Jimenez effort.

MILAN, ITALY – DECEMBER 15: Rafael Leao of AC Milan is challenged by Alessandro Zanoli of Genoa during the Serie A match between AC Milan and Genoa at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on December 15, 2024 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Despite carrying a muscular problem, Alvaro Morata was introduced for the second half and within 30 seconds the Emerson Royal glancing header on Chukwueze’s cross had to be fingertipped out of the far bottom corner by Leali.

Francesco Camarda and Morata both went for the same Rafael Leao cross, then Morata curled left-footed wide of the far top corner after a strong Reijnders counter-attack.

Milan felt they simply had to score when Morata was sent clear only to smash his finish against the crossbar from 12 yards.

Milan Badelj deflected another Morata effort over from the edge of the area after a powerful Reijnders run from his own half.

Mike Maignan was forced to sprint back and clear off the line after a misplaced Malick Thiaw back-pass at the 88th minute threatened a comical own goal.

Milan were loudly jeered off the pitch at the final whistle by their disappointed supporters.