Preview: Genoa vs. AC Milan - prediction, team news, lineups

Although they are yet to score in the Champions League, AC Milan return to domestic duty in Genoa on Saturday, sitting second in the Serie A standings.

After their second straight goalless draw in Europe, Milan must now tackle an improving home side at Stadio Luigi Ferraris.

Match preview

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While Milan have taken just two points from their first two Champions League Group F games, following Wednesday night's draw with Borussia Dortmund, Stefano Pioli's side are flying high in the Italian top flight - one aberration aside.

With their only loss a 5-1 derby hammering by Inter, the Rossoneri have already accrued 18 points in Serie A, which represents their third-best total at this stage during the 21st century; also enough to join their city rivals at the top of the table.

Last week's 2-0 home win over Lazio - when goals from summer signings Christian Pulisic and Noah Okafor secured victory at San Siro - took Milan onto a tally last achieved after seven games in the Scudetto-winning campaign of 2021-22 - and before that, some 20 years ago.

All of which bodes well for hopes of a title challenge this term, with the race apparently wide open at this point of proceedings - particularly with Napoli still short of their best and both Rome clubs struggling to keep pace.

After denying Borussia Dortmund on German soil, Pioli will want to pick up more points on the road in Serie A, as it was lacklustre away form that cost Milan a run at second spot last season.

Since February, each of their five league defeats have come as the away side, but they can now travel to Marassi with a good recent record against Genoa behind them: Milan have won four of their last five league games against the Grifone at Stadio Ferraris.

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Indeed, Genoa's last home win versus this week's visitors came back in October 2016, and before suffering relegation a couple of years ago the Ligurian team had lost seven of the clubs' previous nine Serie A meetings, winning just one.

Now led by former Milan striker Alberto Gilardino, the Grifone have recovered from an opening-day mauling by Fiorentina to take eight points from their next six matches, and they were only denied two more by a late own goal last weekend.

After in-form forward Albert Gudmundsson struck twice during the first half at the Dacia Arena, it seemed Gilardino's men were on course for victory over Udinese, but Alan Matturro's stoppage-time error handed the hosts a 2-2 draw.

Nonetheless, on each of the last nine occasions Genoa have exceeded a point per game from their first seven Serie A matches, they have always gone on to avoid relegation, and that remains the main goal for Gilardino and co this year.

Having already upset Lazio and Roma, though, the promoted side will seek more major scalps along the way - and Milan are among the biggest of all.

Team News

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With Ruben Loftus-Cheek still unavailable, alongside Rade Krunic (thigh) and long-term absentee Ismael Bennacer (knee), Milan's midfield options remain restricted this weekend.

After starting in Germany, Yunus Musah and Tommaso Pobega will hope to hold off competition from Yacine Adli to join mainstay Tijjani Reijnders in the Rossoneri's engine room.

Despite their final-third failings in continental competition, Milan are the only team throughout Europe's top five leagues to have two players with three goals and three assists to their name this term. Olivier Giroud - who may be rested, with Luka Jovic or Noah Okafor deputising up front - has already registered four Serie A strikes and three assists; Rafael Leao, three of each.

Genoa, meanwhile, are set to be without some first-choice midfielders too, as Kevin Strootman (muscular) and Milan Badelj (flexor) remain major doubts for Saturday evening's game at Marassi.

Stefano Sabelli (ankle) could return in time to play a part, though, and Brazilian winger Junior Messias is in contention to face his parent club after making a couple of cameo appearances since returning from injury.

Up top, Albert Gudmundsson and Italy striker Mateo Retegui have both scored three times in Serie A this season, and the last time Genoa had two forwards on that mark after seven top-flight games was back in 1977. However, the latter must overcome a knee issue to feature against Milan.

Genoa possible starting lineup:

Martinez; Dragusin, Bani, Vasquez; De Winter, Thorsby, Frendrup, Malinovskyi, Matturro; Messias, Gudmundsson

AC Milan possible starting lineup:

Maignan; Florenzi, Tomori, Thiaw, Hernandez; Musah, Adli, Reijnders; Pulisic, Okafor, Leao

We say: Genoa 1-2 AC Milan

Milan may have just two goals to show from their last seven Champions League fixtures, but their front line have proven capable of finding the net regularly in Serie A. Continuing a fine record at Marassi, the second-city side can leave Liguria with all three points on Saturday evening.

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