Fading Lead

Eduardo - The clown's happy day

Genoa 1 AC Milan 1

Milan ended last year as league leaders. Winter champions with the lowest total in Serie A history, it seems. Is it because the league has had a miraculous turn around in quality? No, not really. It's more down to the fact that Allegri's men don't know how to close out games. Many say defense is Milan's biggest concern. We have the healthiest goal difference in the league, so it's safe to assume that it isn't the defense which is our concern. Allegri's biggest worry should be, how do we win games when we are in a winning position. This dilemma definitely intensified after the draw to Genoa.

Other than the odd half volley, Genoa failed to threaten in the first half. They sat deep and invited Milan to attack, which by the way is always a dangerous proposition against the league leaders. Pato-Robinho-Ibrahimovic jinked around the defense mesmerizing one of Italy's most appalling defenses. The front three combined very well, especially the understanding that Robinho and Pato have developed is pleasing to the sore eyes. An inevitable error by Dainelli provide Ibrahimovic with the opportunity to notch another assist, which he did. Pato was at the right place at the right time and his mercurial form continued. Floro Flores was by far Genoa's brightest attacking threat and its rather frightening to see that he wasn't man marked. Eventually, on the stroke of half time, he picked his spot and leveled the scores.

Robinho must have thought that he finally scored before Rossi put in a goal saving challenge on the 49'. Milan pressed and pressed but simply couldn't take advantage of Eduardo's gimmicks. Genoa found themselves more on the ball in the final 20 minutes. Dainelli had a horrific game and can thank his stars for not conceding a penalty for embracing Ibrahimovic in the box on the 78'. Shockingly, we couldn't score more than a goal against a defense of Dainelli-Kaladze-Criscito-Mesto. Let's not forget the clown Eduardo who appears to have taken up Dida's mantle in the Serie A. Milan need to be ruthless. If not, the wait for the Scudetto could last another year, at least.

Genoa - Floro Flores 46'
Milan - Pato 29'