AC Milan is looking to Santiago Giménez and Christopher Nkunku to turn their fortunes around as they face Daniele De Rossi’s Genoa. Luka Modrić returns to the bench.
The match is scheduled to kick off at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris in Marassi at 11:00 AM UK time (12:00 PM CEST).
This unusual early start is a consequence of the tight race for the top four Champions League spots, requiring simultaneous matches to ensure fairness among competing teams.
Milan, who were contenders for the Scudetto just a few months ago, have seen their form dip significantly, securing only seven points from their last eight rounds. This slump has seen them join Roma in fourth place, putting their Champions League qualification in jeopardy. Reports suggest that manager Max Allegri, director Igli Tare, and CEO Giorgio Furlani are all under scrutiny.
Allegri’s options are further limited by the suspensions of Rafael Leão, Alexis Saelemaekers, and Pervis Estupiñán. Samuele Ricci, having sprained his ankle, is fit enough only for the bench, where he will be joined by Luka Modrić. Modrić’s return to the squad is ahead of schedule after undergoing surgery for a fractured cheekbone on April 27.
Ardon Jashari is set to start in midfield, while Fikayo Tomori returns from his ban following the team’s 3-2 home defeat against Atalanta. Christian Pulisic is available again after recovering from a muscular issue, and he will partner with Nkunku and Giménez in a new attacking duo.
Genoa has secured their Serie A status thanks to consecutive goalless draws against Atalanta and Fiorentina. They will play this match with no pressure and are eager to put on a good performance for their home crowd.
Junior Messias is out injured against his former club, along with Brooke Norton-Cuffy and Maxwel Cornet. However, Tommaso Baldanzi and Johan Vásquez are available again.
This evening will be significant for Ruslan Malinovskyi, who will be playing his final home game for Genoa, and former Milan youth product Lorenzo Colombo.
Genoa vs. Milan Line-ups
Genoa: Bijlow; Ellertsson, Otoa, Marcandalli, Vásquez; Malinovskyi, Amorim, Frendrup; Baldanzi, Vitinha; Colombo.
Milan: Maignan; Tomori, Gabbia, Pavlovic; Athekame, Fofana, Jashari, Rabiot, Bartesaghi; Gimenez, Nkunku.
