Alessio Romagnoli sees red as AC Milan fall to defeat at Genoa

Updated: May 17, 2023, 06:12 am

AC Milan had Alessio Romagnoli sent off as they suffered a 1-0 Serie A defeat at struggling Genoa.

Romagnoli was given his marching orders just before the interval having put his arm across the face of Diego Capel to earn his second booking of the game.

At that stage the Rossoneri were already trailing to Blerim Dzemaili's deflected early free-kick, and although chances came their way to salvage something, they could not fine a way past the hosts' defence.

Genoa - 17th before kick-off, eight places lower than their opponents - started brightly, with Capel striking just wide in the sixth minute when a free-kick was touched to him by Dzemaili.

The hosts had the lead four minutes later from a similar situation, Dzemaili opting this time to shoot and his effort taking a deflection off Giacomo Bonaventura on its way past Diego Lopez and in.

Genoa's Blerim Dzemaili, left, celebrates with teammate Diego Laxalt.
AP Photo/Tano Pecoraro

As Milan looked to respond, Bonaventura shot just over, and after Cristian Zapata intervened at the other end to divert Diego Laxalt's cross behind, Mario Balotelli headed wide.

Milan's hopes subsequently took a blow in the 42nd minute when Zapata gave the ball away and, as Capel burst forward with it, Romagnoli raised his arm while making a challenge, prompting his dismissal.

After the break, Bonaventura had a shot saved and Balotelli curled a free-kick off target before having another effort smothered.

Capel then fired too high, but it was Milan creating more and a great chance was passed up in the 87th minute by substitute Juraj Kucka, who stabbed over the bar.

Balotelli sent a free-kick into the danger zone at the death but another substitute, Rodrigo Ely, headed it wide and Milan's third defeat of the campaign was confirmed.