Milan's 125th anniversary celebrations marred by draw with Genoa

Updated: Dec 15, 2024, 10:56 pm

Wasteful AC Milan were held to a 0-0 draw by Genoa in Serie A at the San Siro on Sunday, a result that dampened the festivities on the club's 125th anniversary.

Milan celebrated the club's foundation with greats such as former strikers Marco van Basten and Filippo Inzaghi, who entered the pitch holding their commemorative plates after being inducted into the club's Hall of Fame before the game.

However, Paulo Fonseca's side were booed at the end of the match after their performance failed to match the occasion.

Wearing new retro kits created for the anniversary, Milan had the upper hand from the start but created mostly half-chances in the opening period.

The hosts were fortunate to escape without conceding a penalty when teenage forward Mattia Liberali's tackle on Genoa midfielder Fabio Miretti went unpunished.

Milan continued to create opportunities after the interval but without being able to break the deadlock.

Milan players react after a disappointing draw with Genoa in Serie A.
Milan players react after a disappointing draw with Genoa in Serie A.
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Halftime substitute Álvaro Morata dribbled through the Genoa defence before firing over in the 76th minute and then hit the bar three minutes later to the dismay of the fans.

The home side had 22 goal attempts but only four on target.

Milan, who were celebrating the anniversary of their founding on Dec. 16 1899, remain eighth in the standings on 23 points from 15 games, eight points adrift of the top four.

After extending their Champions League winning streak to four games with a late 2-1 home victory over Red Star Belgrade on Wednesday, Milan are now winless in four of their last five Serie A games.

Patrick Vieira's Genoa, meanwhile, extended their unbeaten run to six matches and sit 13th with 16 points, two points above the relegation zone.

Bologna beat fourth-placed visitors Fiorentina 1-0 earlier on Sunday, ending Viola's winning streak of eight league games, while struggling AS Roma conceded twice in stoppage time to lose 2-0 at lowly Como.

Roma are 12th on 16 points from 16 games, which is the club's worst record in the three-points-for-a-win era at this stage of a campaign.