Published: December 16, 2024
New Delhi: AC Milan’s 125th anniversary celebrations fell flat as the Rossoneri were held to a lackluster goalless draw by Genoa in front of over 70,000 fans at the San Siro. The disappointing result leaves Milan in eighth place in Serie A, trailing league leaders Atalanta by 14 points and sitting eight points adrift of Champions League qualification.
Milan’s Struggles Continue
The club’s milestone celebration, which featured iconic former players like Ruud Gullit, Marco van Basten, Frank Rijkaard, and Andrea Pirlo, failed to inspire Paulo Fonseca’s squad on the pitch. Despite dominating possession and creating multiple chances, Milan could not find the back of the net.
Spanish forward Álvaro Morata came closest, striking the crossbar in the 79th minute. Fonseca, however, defended his team’s performance.
“The players played with desire; they played like a team. The only thing that was missing was the goal,” said the Portuguese manager.
Fans Voice Discontent
The anniversary match, meant to honor Milan’s glorious history, took a sour turn as fans expressed dissatisfaction with the team and the club’s American ownership, Redbird. Chants of “We’re not Americans” echoed through the stadium, and banners lamented the absence of the Milan of old.
The club’s decision to field academy players in place of some first-team regulars, including 17-year-old debutant Mattia Liberali, highlighted the ongoing struggles with injuries and inconsistent performances under Fonseca.
Fiorentina’s Record Run Ends
Elsewhere, Fiorentina’s impressive unbeaten streak came to an end with a 1-0 defeat at Bologna. A solitary goal handed Bologna three valuable points and saw them climb to seventh in the table, just behind Juventus.
Former Fiorentina coach Vincenzo Italiano, now managing Bologna, celebrated a significant win against his old club. Italiano praised his side’s defensive discipline, saying, “To have conceded so little to this Fiorentina team is brilliant.”
Fiorentina, who had been chasing a club-record ninth consecutive Serie A win, remain fourth in the standings, six points behind Atalanta, with a game in hand.
Other Key Results
- Como’s Shock Victory: Cesc Fabregas’ Como pulled off a dramatic 2-0 win over Roma with two stoppage-time goals. The result keeps Roma perilously close to the relegation zone, just two points clear of the bottom three.
- Lazio vs. Inter Milan Showdown: On Monday, Lazio will host defending champions Inter Milan, with both sides locked at 31 points. The match will be crucial in determining whether either team can maintain their pursuit of Atalanta.
Serie A Title Race Heats Up
As Atalanta maintain their grip on the top spot, the Serie A title race is shaping up to be fiercely competitive. While AC Milan struggles to find consistency, the likes of Fiorentina, Lazio, and Inter Milan are all vying to close the gap on the leaders.
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