|
|
 |
 |
Genoa with a narrow win over AC Milan |
 |
Genoa ended their season at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris with a narrow win over AC Milan, although their fans were unable to share in their team's celebrations.
The game was played behind closed doors due to the fear of crowd violence and the Genoa supporters missed seeing their team return to winning ways thanks to a 57th-minute goal from Giuseppe Sculli.
To compound Milan's misery, Mathieu Flamini saw red late on for a second bookable offence.
The home side had the better of the game, but the win proved too little too late as they had already lost all hope of playing in Europe next season after losing 3-0 at Bari last weekend.
Milan could yet be dislodged from third place if they fail to win their final game of the season against Juventus as Sampdoria are now breathing down their necks.
The decision was taken last night to close the Luigi Ferraris to all fans after tension between the two rival groups of supporters had escalated during the week.
Milan supporters have been banned from attending their team's fixtures in Genoa since a Rossoblu fan was killed in clashes 15 years ago, but threats of organised violence outside the stadium led to the decision to close the doors and not let anybody in.
This deprived the home team of their strongest weapon at the Ferraris. The atmosphere inside the stadium has lifted the Rossoblu to wins over Roma and Sampdoria this season, but without any fans, Genoa lacked their edge.
The first half was as quiet on the field as it was off it with little action at either end.
Former Genoa striker Marco Borriello came the closest to opening the deadlock early on, but his shot was blocked by Salvatore Bocchetti.
The game needed some invention and Ronaldinho provided it early in the second half with a fine lofted ball into the path of Borriello, but he shot straight at Marco Amelia in the Genoa goal.
Milan seemed to be getting on top and an acrobatic shot from Borriello brought another save out of Amelia.
But Genoa then took the lead against the run of play thanks to a header from Sculli, who was left alone to nod past Dida from the centre of the penalty area in the 57th minute.
The Rossoblu could have had a second just after an hour when Robert Acquafresca beat Dida, but his shot struck the woodwork.
A fine run by Sculli in the 73rd minute almost brought a second, but after beating three Milan defenders, the Genoa striker was denied by Dida.
Milan were growing frustrated and, shortly after Klaas-Jan Huntelaar headed over the crossbar from an Andrea Pirlo corner, Flamini earned his second yellow card with six minutes to go.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|