Match ends, Genoa 1, Milan 2.
GenoaGenoa1AC MilanAC Milan2
Pepe Reina saved an injury-time penalty as struggling AC Milan beat Genoa to distance themselves from the Serie A relegation places and ease the pressure on manager Marco Giampaolo.
In an incident-packed match featuring four red cards, the visitors fought back with two goals in six second-half minutes through Theo Hernandez and Franck Kessie's penalty.
Lasse Schone's sublime free-kick had given Genoa a half-time lead.
Milan climb to 11th with victory.
Milan breathe sigh of relief after tense win
Succeeding Gennaro Gattuso as Milan boss in June, former Sampdoria manager Giampaolo had come under increasing pressure following the 18-time champions' dismal start to the campaign.
The seven-time champions of Europe had already suffered four defeats in their opening six league games, having been well beaten by Fiorentina last weekend.
Schone's opener for fellow strugglers Genoa, who sit second from bottom, provided relief for Giampaolo's counterpart Aurelio Andreazzoli - but the contest turned in the 51st minute as Hernandez beat Andrei Radu at his near post.
Moments later, Milan were awarded a penalty after a lengthy Video Assistant Referee review found Davide Biraschi guilty of handball, with the defender duly dismissed.
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Genoa goalkeeper Radu denied substitute Rafael Leao at close range as the visitors, reduced to 10 men following a second yellow card for right-back Davide Calabria, chased a third.
With the drama not over, former Liverpool goalkeeper Reina brought down Christian Kouame before denying Schone from the spot in the 95th minute to secure a crucial three points.
A first red card of the match had been awarded to Genoa's Riccardo Saponara after comments he made from the bench, while Milan's unused substitute Samu Castillejo received the game's fourth for a similar offence shortly before the final whistle.
Line-ups
Genoa
Formation 3-4-1-2
- 97Radu
- 17RomeroBooked at 88mins
- 2ZapataBooked at 23mins
- 4CriscitoSubstituted forBiraschiat 11'minutesBooked at 56mins
- 18Ghiglione
- 20SchöneBooked at 67mins
- 21Radovanovic
- 33Pajac
- 8LeragerBooked at 64minsSubstituted forPandevat 88'minutes
- 11Kouamé
- 99PinamontiSubstituted forFavilliat 73'minutes
Substitutes
- 5Goldaniga
- 9Sanabria
- 13El Yamiq
- 14Biraschi
- 15Jagiello
- 19Pandev
- 22Marchetti
- 29Cassata
- 30Favilli
- 32Ankersen
- 91Saponara
- 93Chitolina Carniel
AC Milan
Formation 4-3-3
- 25Reina
- 2CalabriaBooked at 79mins
- 43Campos Duarte da Silva
- 13Romagnoli
- 19Hernández
- 79Kessié
- 20BigliaBooked at 62mins
- 10CalhanogluSubstituted forTolentino Coelho de Limaat 45'minutesBooked at 84mins
- 8Fernández Saez
- 9PiatekSubstituted forda Conceição Leãoat 45'minutes
- 5BonaventuraSubstituted forContiat 81'minutes
Substitutes
- 4Bennacer
- 7Castillejo Azuaga
- 11Borini
- 12Conti
- 17da Conceição Leão
- 18Rebic
- 33Krunic
- 39Tolentino Coelho de Lima
- 46Gabbia
- 68Rodríguez
- 90Donnarumma
- Referee:
- Maurizio Mariani
- Attendance:
- 22,486
Match Stats
Home TeamGenoaAway TeamAC Milan
- Possession
- Home51%
- Away49%
- Shots
- Home14
- Away9
- Shots on Target
- Home6
- Away6
- Corners
- Home7
- Away0
- Fouls
- Home23
- Away14
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Genoa 1, Milan 2.
Post update
Lucas Biglia (Milan) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Lasse Schöne (Genoa).
Dismissal
Samu Castillejo (Milan) is shown the red card.
Post update
Attempt missed. Cristián Zapata (Genoa) right footed shot from the right side of the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Cristian Romero with a headed pass following a corner.
Post update
Corner, Genoa. Conceded by Pepe Reina.
Post update
Penalty saved! Lasse Schöne (Genoa) fails to capitalise on this great opportunity, right footed shot saved in the bottom left corner.
Post update
Penalty conceded by Pepe Reina (Milan) after a foul in the penalty area.
Post update
Penalty Genoa. Christian Kouamé draws a foul in the penalty area.
Booking
Cristian Romero (Genoa) is shown the yellow card.
Substitution
Substitution, Genoa. Goran Pandev replaces Lukas Lerager.
Post update
Attempt missed. Lukas Lerager (Genoa) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Andrea Favilli.
Post update
Attempt missed. Lasse Schöne (Genoa) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the left from a direct free kick.
Booking
Lucas Paquetá (Milan) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Post update
Foul by Lucas Paquetá (Milan).
Post update
Cristian Romero (Genoa) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Foul by Rafael Leão (Milan).
Post update
Cristián Zapata (Genoa) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Franck Kessié (Milan) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
