Serie A: AC Milan Beat Genoa 2-1 to Keep UCL Qualification in Their Hands

Milan hold off late Genoa rally to move third in Serie A

Christopher Nkunku and Zachary Athekame scored as AC Milan beat Genoa 2-1 to strengthen their Champions League hopes with one game left, despite a late goal from Johan Vásquez for Genoa...

Milan extended their unbeaten run against Genoa to 11 games since March 2020 and moved to third in Serie A...

The win leaves Milan two points clear of sixth-placed Juventus heading into the final matchday of the season.

Milan hold off late Genoa rally to move third in Serie A

The win leaves Milan two points clear of sixth-placed Juventus heading into the final matchday of the season.

A penalty from Nkunku and a late strike from Athekame gave Milan a crucial win...

Christopher Nkunku and Noah Athekame scored as AC Milan beat Genoa 2-1 to boost their Champions League push. Justin Bijlow gave away a penalty that put Milan ahead, and the win extended their unbeaten run against Genoa to 11 games since March 2020, with 7 wins and 4 draws. The result also means Milan still control their own chances of qualifying for the UCL.

Milan have managed only one win in their last six league games, with one draw and four losses in that spell. That poor form has ended any title hopes and put their place in next season’s Champions League at risk.

Going into the match, Massimiliano Allegri’s side had watched an eight-point advantage over Roma disappear in just three games. That slump left Milan clinging to fourth place on head-to-head record alone.

The pressure showed early on, with Milan looking shaky as Genoa created the first real chance. Vitinha curled an effort from the back post that drifted just wide of the top corner.

Milan grew into the game as the half progressed. Alessandro Marcandalli made a key tackle to stop Santiago Giménez from shooting at close range, and moments later he was back at the far post to cut out a cross before Christopher Nkunku could tap in.

Right before half-time, word came through that Roma had scored. That goal pushed Milan out of the Champions League spots as the teams went in for the break.

The first half produced little in the way of clear chances, and Genoa looked set for a fourth straight league game without a goal, something they hadn’t done since February 2022.

With safety already secured and no European football to play for, all eyes were on Milan after the restart. The Rossoneri didn’t wait long to respond.

Alex Amorim’s mistake forced Justin Bijlow out of his goal, and the keeper brought down Nkunku as the forward rounded him. Nkunku stepped up and scored the penalty, his second in two matches, to give Milan the lead.

Mike Maignan’s save denied Jeff Ekhator an early equalizer as Milan held on for three points.

With Genoa safe in mid-table, the second half stayed quiet and there wasn’t much urgency to find an equalizer.

Milan come away with a vital victory ✅#GenoaMilan pic.twitter.com/4XxV5UBqJL

— Lega Serie A (@SerieA_EN) May 17, 2026

Chances were few and far between. Vitinha had a good opening but scuffed his shot over the bar. Milan made it 2-0 nine minutes from time when Zachary Athekame fired a low, driven finish past the keeper.

Jeff Ekhator could have pulled one back right away after a loose pass sent him through on goal, but Mike Maignan reacted quickly to deny him.

Johan Vasquez then scrambled home his first goal of the season from close range to set up a tense finish. Genoa pushed, but couldn’t find an equalizer and came up short.

The defeat was Genoa’s eighth against teams currently in the top 10 this season, but it doesn’t change much for them. They stay 14th with a mid-table finish already secured.

 

Christopher Nkunku is the Panini Player of the Match for #GenoaMilan 👏 pic.twitter.com/2rntc6nXHk

— Lega Serie A (@SerieA_EN) May 17, 2026

For Milan, the three points lift them to third. The race is still tight though, with only two points separating them from sixth-placed Juventus going into the final matchday.