Genoa ended a run of three straight losses by beating ten-man AC Milan 1-0 at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris this afternoon.
The home side - who were without a goal in three matches coming into today's contest - ended their goal drought in the 10th minute, albeit in fortunate circumstances.
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It appeared that Blerim Dzemaili's free kick was going to force Milan goalkeeper Diego Lopez into a routine save, but the ball deflected off Giacomo Bonaventura in the wall, which left the Spanish stopper helpless.
AC Milan's task became tougher three minutes before the break when centre-back Alessio Romagnoli was handed a second yellow card for a foul on Dzemaili.
Shortly after the hour-mark, Mario Balotelli almost levelled the scores with a 20-yard free kick, but his strike dropped the wrong side of the upright.
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Leonardo Pavoletti and Diego Capel then had chances to put breathing space between themselves and Milan, but neither player could find the target from inside the area.
The missed chances gave Milan a glimmer of hope, but despite throwing Carlos Bacca on for the final ten minutes, they were unable to find their way past a resolute Genoa defence and the home side held on to record a slender victory.
Kristian Johnson
