AC Milan midfielder Riccardo Montolivo has said that his side had to play well to overcome Genoa at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris last night.

Goals from Giampaolo Pazzini and Mario Balotelli sealed a 2-0 win for the Rossoneri, who moved four points clear of fourth-placed rivals Inter Milan.

"Genoa played with real aggression," Montolivo told Sky Sport Italia. "We were facing a very good team, but we remained calm.

"We did well in attack – Pazzini scored an important goal, and it was nice that Balotelli doubled the lead."

Milan face Barcelona in the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie on Tuesday.