AC Milan have played out a 1-1 draw with 10-man Genoa at the San Siro in Serie A.

The hosts made the breakthrough as early as the fourth minute when Nigel de Jong delivered the ball to Kaka over the top, and the Brazilian playmaker made no mistake from close range.

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However, Genoa restored parity just four minutes later from the penalty spot. Urby Emanuelson brought down Sime Vrsaljko inside the area and Alberto Gilardino successfully converted from 12 yards.

Mario Balotelli and Alessandro Matri both had good chances to put Milan back in front as the first half wore on, before Genoa conceded the second spot kick of the match 10 minutes from the interval.

Thomas Manfredini brought down Balotelli inside the visitors' 18-yard box and was sent off, but the Italian striker saw his subsequent penalty saved by Mattia Perin.

Matri could have saved his teammate's blushes minutes later when he connected with an Emanuelson corner, but failed to keep his headed effort on target.

It was largely one-way traffic in the second half as Milan pressed forward in order to take advantage of their numerical superiority, with Balotelli, Ignazio Abate, De Jong and Matri all testing the Genoa defence before the hour mark.

Then Kaka saw his header saved by goalkeeper Perin, before Valter Birsa's ambitious effort from the left side of the box went high and wide.

The Rossoneri continued to hog possession and launch attacks as the contest entered the final stages, with Kaka, Birsa and Emanuelson all going close, but they eventually had to settle for a point.