Week 35: Milan – Genoa

Week 34’s match against Juventus was not a great advertisement for Italian nor did Milan shine in any shape for form. The 0-0 draw was widely noted as a boring uneventful match. The 2023-2024 season is ending in a sort of anticlimactic way with only second pace to play for. Juventus can catch Milan and take over second spot but it won’t matter all that much. Next season’s new Champions League format has already guaranteed the Serie A five spots, up from four, and even if that was in question the danger would be lower.

The rest of the season’s biggest drama is likely to be the search for Piuoli’s successor. So far mostly unimpressive names have mentioned but it is too early to be sure if the choice will be high profile or not. A lot will depend on Gerry Cardinale’s ambition and willingness.

In the warm up for the aforementioned Juveutus match Maignan injured himself and Sportiello deputized well. The Italian will start again versus Genoa. Calabria will serve the second of his two match ban but since Hernandez is back from suspension Pioli won’t have to use Musah at the back. Florenzi and Hernandez will play alongside Tomori and Gabbia. It looks like bennacer and Reijnders will be used the rest of the way with Adi on the bench. Loftus- CHeek is not 100% and this will move Pulisic to the attacking midfield role and Chukwueze to the wing. Leao will start on the left with the departing Giroud playing up front in one of his final Milan games.

Genoa feature the familiar name of Messias on their squad but the Brazilian is out injured. Il Grifone are coached by Gilardino of course and despite his team being only 12th in the standings he is gaining fans for his coaching.

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